Dodgers manager Dave Roberts faces criticism after a puzzling bullpen decision in loss to Padres, sparking debate over team strategy.
On June 10, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a humiliating 11–1 loss to the San Diego Padres, a game that quickly spiraled out of control and raised more questions than answers — particularly about the decisions made by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. What initially seemed like just another lopsided loss evolved into a lightning rod for criticism after Roberts made a puzzling and controversial bullpen move that left fans, analysts, and even some within the organization scratching their heads.
This game, and Roberts’ handling of it, have since become a hot topic in baseball circles. The question at the center of the discussion: Did the Dodgers manager effectively give up on the game? Or was he simply forced into a corner by an unprecedented injury crisis? In this detailed examination, we’ll break down the circumstances leading up to that moment, analyze the decisions made, and explore the broader implications for the Dodgers and their beleaguered pitching staff.
The Context: Dodgers’ Injury-Riddled Pitching Staff
The Dodgers entered the 2025 season with high hopes, boasting one of the most expensive and talented pitching staffs in baseball. However, an avalanche of injuries has decimated that core, forcing the team into a makeshift rotation and taxing an already thin bullpen.
By mid-June, the Dodgers had a staggering 14 pitchers on the injured list, sidelining stars like Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — names once thought to be untouchable in the rotation. This injury crisis severely limited manager Dave Roberts’ options, forcing him to rely on inexperienced arms like Matt Sauer, a 26-year-old minor league call-up who had seen just one major league start prior to this game.
The bullpen, traditionally a strength for the Dodgers, was now overstretched, forced to cover innings in ways it had never been asked before.
The Game: Padres Dominate Early
From the opening inning at Petco Park, the Dodgers struggled to find any rhythm against Padres pitcher Dylan Cease, who delivered a dominant seven innings, striking out 11 and allowing zero runs. The Padres’ offense exploded early, highlighted by Manny Machado’s five RBI performance, including multiple clutch hits that extended their lead rapidly.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, were unable to get much going offensively, managing just one run late in the game. But while the bats faltered, it was the pitching decisions — particularly in the bullpen — that would become the central story.
The Controversial Decision: Position Player Enrique Hernández on the Mound
The pivotal moment came in the later innings. After Matt Sauer labored through 4⅔ innings, allowing nine earned runs, the Dodgers were faced with a dilemma: their bullpen was running dangerously low on available arms, and the score was ballooning.
In a move rarely seen at this level of professional baseball, Roberts turned to Enrique Hernández, a versatile utility player and outfielder, to pitch the final innings. Hernández is no stranger to pitching in blowouts — having done so sporadically throughout his career — but the decision to deploy him in such a critical situation immediately raised eyebrows.
Critics viewed this as Roberts effectively throwing in the towel, an admission that the Dodgers had no viable pitching options left and were conceding the game. Using a position player to pitch in a regular-season game is often seen as a last resort, a signal that a team has accepted defeat rather than battled through adversity.
Why Did Roberts Make This Call?
Roberts defended his decision in postgame remarks, emphasizing the dire situation:
“We were out of arms. Matt Sauer had given everything he had, and we had to protect the rest of the bullpen for the upcoming games. Enrique is a professional and stepped up for us when we needed him.”
While there is logic in preserving healthy arms for future contests, the timing and optics of this move left many wondering if Roberts missed an opportunity to manage the game more strategically. Could he have used lesser-known bullpen options or stretched Sauer’s outing differently to avoid a position player pitching? Or was this truly the only choice given the circumstances?
Fan and Media Reaction: A Firestorm of Criticism
The backlash was swift and vociferous. Fans took to social media, expressing frustration with Roberts’ perceived surrender. Some questioned his leadership and whether he was mentally prepared to manage the team through the challenges.
Baseball analysts debated whether this was a case of a manager doing what he had to do or if Roberts had lost control of the game prematurely. Popular analyst and former player Jamie Moyer said on a postgame broadcast:
“You want your manager to fight until the very end. Bringing in a position player to pitch in a regular-season game, unless it’s an absolute blowout, sends the wrong message. It’s demoralizing for players and fans alike.”
Others argued that the deeper problem lay with the Dodgers’ injury woes, not the manager’s choices. With an exhausted and depleted pitching staff, Roberts was forced into a no-win situation.
The Team’s Perspective
Inside the Dodgers clubhouse, reactions were mixed but respectful of Roberts’ decision under the circumstances. Veteran Freddie Freeman commented:
“It’s a tough spot for any manager. We’re all hurting with the injuries, and sometimes you have to get creative. Enrique’s a great teammate, and I respect that he was willing to take the ball.”
But even among players, there is an understanding that the team’s broader issues — injuries, lack of depth, and inconsistent performances — have compounded to create these difficult scenarios.
Roberts’ Bullpen Management History
This is not the first time Roberts has come under fire for bullpen decisions. Over his tenure as Dodgers manager, he has faced criticism for overusing certain relievers, questionable pitching changes, and sometimes leaving starters in too long or pulling them too early.
While Roberts led the Dodgers to multiple postseason appearances and a World Series title in 2020, some fans and analysts remain divided on his in-game management. This latest incident has reopened old debates about his ability to handle high-pressure situations and maximize a team’s pitching resources.
What Does This Mean for the Dodgers Moving Forward?
The Padres game was a harsh reminder that the Dodgers need pitching reinforcements immediately. The front office is reportedly exploring trade options and minor league call-ups to bolster the staff.
Roberts will need to adjust his strategies, potentially giving more innings to younger pitchers or experimenting with bullpen roles to find a sustainable formula.
For the Dodgers to stay competitive in a stacked National League West, overcoming this pitching crisis is critical.
The Dodgers’ 11–1 loss to the Padres will be remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the baffling bullpen move that encapsulated the team’s struggles this season. Dave Roberts’ decision to put Enrique Hernández on the mound was met with widespread criticism, reflecting fans’ frustration and the broader challenges facing the Dodgers.
While Roberts defended the choice as necessary under the circumstances, it underscores the thin margin between strategic ingenuity and perceived surrender.
Baseball, with its long season and inevitable adversities, demands resilience and adaptation. For the Dodgers, navigating through injuries, managing limited resources, and maintaining morale will be key in the coming weeks.
Roberts remains at the helm, and whether this game serves as a turning point or a symptom of deeper issues remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: The Dodgers and their manager face an uphill battle to restore faith — on the field and in the dugout.
