Dodgers Interview: Doc back in the saddle after suspension
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys with heartbeat."
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was back at the helm Friday night after serving a one-game suspension for his role in Thursday’s bench-clearing incident, and he had plenty to say about his team’s bounce-back performance, Clayton Kershaw’s latest outing, Dustin May’s upcoming start, and the emergence of rookie catcher Dalton Rushing alongside veteran Will Smith.
“It was good to see Clayton out there again,” Roberts said, reflecting on Friday’s win. “He made pitches when he needed to, weathered that homer from Amed Rosario. I thought Danny [Lehmann] and Mark [Prior] did a really nice job managing the bullpen, knowing we had it loaded and that Clayton had gone seven innings his last time out. With the start coming up in Denver, it was smart to be cautious.”
Roberts also credited Michael Conforto’s sliding catch in left field as “a huge play” that helped set the tone for the series.
The manager wasn’t in the dugout Thursday, but he wasn’t exactly relaxing, either. “I was at home,” Roberts admitted. “I wouldn’t say I was nervous, but I got to experience what it’s like to watch from your perspective. A little unsettling. But I liked what I saw.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s starter, Roberts expects Dustin May to continue his strong season against a lineup that’s top-heavy with left-handed hitters. “He’s been good against lefties. I think it’s about using his spin to protect his fastball, staying aggressive,” Roberts said. “It’s a pretty aggressive hitting team, and we just want Dustin to stay locked in for six or seven innings.”
One of the biggest bright spots for the Dodgers this year has been their catching duo—veteran Will Smith and rookie Dalton Rushing. While Smith continues to perform at an All-Star level, Rushing has impressed with his poise and adaptability in a tough role.
“He’ll be in there tomorrow,” Roberts said of Rushing, who has had to adjust to not playing every day. “He’s doing well. There’s still a learning curve, but he’s building relationships with the pitchers, and his game-calling has been fantastic. The at-bats have been better too.”
Roberts acknowledged how important it is to find a balance between keeping Smith fresh and giving Rushing opportunities. “It always feels good to write Will’s name in the lineup,” he said. “But I’ve already made the decision—Dalton will catch tomorrow. We want to grow him as a ballplayer.”
Asked about Smith’s durability and ability to avoid the late-season fatigue that’s affected him in years past, Roberts said the key has been managing his workload. “I’m pretty confident,” Roberts said. “Will’s healthy. He’s fresh. He’s seeing the heater better than he has in the past couple seasons. He’s always been confident, but now his body and mind are in a really good spot.”
Roberts didn’t shy away from singing Smith’s praises. “I called him the best catcher in baseball the other night,” Roberts said. “Cal Raleigh’s having a great year too, but for me, it’s what Will does on both sides—game-calling, receiving, throwing, clutch hitting, righties and lefties. He’s done it consistently now for four years.”
He also pointed to Smith’s calm presence in big moments as a defining trait. “There’s a heartbeat with Will. You go 0–2 to 4–2, bases loaded, and take that walk? That’s heartbeat. That’s not panicking. That’s a special player.”
Injury updates were also on the docket, and Roberts shared some encouraging news.
“Luis Garcia is pitching in Rancho tomorrow. Tyler [Glasnow] is throwing for OKC. Roki [Sasaki] is continuing his throwing progression, which is good. Blake [Snell] should have a bullpen in the next couple days. So, yeah, we’re trending in the right direction.”
Glasnow’s timeline is still developing. Roberts said the right-hander is “not close” to facing hitters just yet, but he’s throwing his full mix in bullpen sessions. “We want to make sure he builds up fully. He’s getting to three or four innings, and we’ll make a decision at some point. But he’s not close in my opinion, even if that differs from yours,” Roberts added with a smile to a reporter.
The Dodgers are hoping a mix of savvy veteran presence and fresh young talent will carry them through a stretch of the season filled with injuries and tough matchups. And with Roberts back in the dugout, they’ll be leaning on his steady leadership once again.
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys with heartbeat,” he said. “We’re fortunate. It’s what makes this team special.”
As the Dodgers head into the weekend, all eyes will be on Dustin May’s Saturday start and Rushing’s continued growth behind the plate. And with Roberts back in charge, fans can expect the team to keep its foot on the gas.
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