Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Not Willing To Name One Specific Closer In Kenley Jansen’s Absence
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Not Willing To Name One Specific Closer In Kenley Jansen’s Absence

Daniel Starkand
August 13, 2018
3 Min Read
dave roberts, dodgers
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Losing an All-Star player in the midst of a pennant race is obviously not ideal, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finding that out right now with Kenley Jansen on the 10-day disabled list due to a heart issue.

DISAGREE WITH THE BRAVES BROADCASTERS? GET YOUR BATTING PRACTICE T-SHIRT NOW!

Without Jansen, the Dodgers bullpen suffered losses in three of four games against the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, which included giving up a walk-off home run and walk-off walk on consecutive days.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to move starters Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling to the bullpen to help aid that unit. It should definitely help as both have proven to be dominant as relievers in the past.

Roberts is still hesitant to name one specific closer while Jansen is out though, and he explained why, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“Because no one’s done it (other than recently acquired John Axford),” Roberts said. “I just don’t think we have a person right now you could just say, ‘He’s our closer.’ What if it doesn’t go well that particular outing – then do you pivot? If you’re naming somebody, you have to give him a runway. That’s unfair to the player, to the team. I don’t want to say it’s different (pitching in the ninth inning) — but it is. There’s a reason closers get paid a lot more.”

While going with a closer by committee is the plan right now, that can change at any time if a reliever asserts himself as Roberts’ best option.

Maeda is the obvious option for that to happen considering how good he was during the postseason in 2017 as a high-leverage reliever. Maeda allowed just one total run in nine appearances while striking out 10 in 10.2 innings.

If he can take over that role, then the rest of the bullpen can essentially stay the same as it was before Jansen was out, which would take a tremendous amount of pressure off of all of them.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Dave RobertsLos Angeles Dodgers
ByDaniel Starkand
Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com, Daniel also writes for LakersNation.com. Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

New Mlb Cba: Luxury Tax Thresholds, Qualifying Offers, Dl Change, And More Details
MLB NewsRumors

MLB Free Agency Rumors: Qualifying Offer Value Decreases To $17.8 Million For 2020 Season

October 17, 2019
November 15, 2019
Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Clayton Kershaw Will Not Return To Dodgers In 2024 Due To Toe Injury

October 5, 2024
October 6, 2024
Ippei Mizuhara
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Ippei Mizuhara Surrenders To Federal Authorities Amid Bank Fraud Charge

April 12, 2024
April 12, 2024
Dodgers logo, Guggenheim Baseball logo
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Uniform Will Have Guggenheim Jersey Patch For 2024 Season

February 14, 2024
February 14, 2024

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어