Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Dustin May will start the fifth game of the regular season, which didn’t come as much of a surprise. Although the assumption is May has taken the fifth spot in the starting rotation, Roberts previously left the door open for change.
Furthermore, in announcing the team had settled on May over Tony Gonsolin and David Price, Roberts said, “Dustin is going to start that fifth game.” That comes Monday in the series opener against the Oakland Athletics.
“It was easy, it was tough,” Roberts said of deciding on May. “Just a lot of variables that I don’t really want to get into. I just think we feel good with David, Jimmy and Tony in the ‘pen, getting left and right out, taking down two, three, four innings.
“Potentially at some point I expect those guys to even finish a game if it makes sense. A lot of good thoughts. Balancing a very talented pitching staff, this was sort of the first hurdle and I think we’re in a good spot.”
David Price threw two innings in a simulated game during a workout at Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon. It came one day after Price was scratched from his start due to feeling under the weather.
“Coming back, throwing two innings, faced some hitters, I thought it was good. He’ll be ready for Opening Day,” Roberts said.
Dodgers give McKinstry Opening Day nod
In addition to naming May the fifth starter, Roberts also confirmed Zach McKinstry had earned the final bench spot on the Opening Day roster. That had become apparent when the Dodgers re-assigned Stevie Berman, Andy Burns and Elliot Soto to Minor League camp.
“Excited for him,” Roberts said of McKinstry. “You look at our roster, a potential right-handed bench bat on paper might fit a little bit better.
“But I just think Zach’s versatility, his ability to take a good at-bat off the bench, on the bases, and throughout his career handled left-handed pitching. He’ll get a start in Colorado somewhere. Just love him on the team.”
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