Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back Justin Wrobleski and several other key contributors on Tuesday as active rosters expanded to 28 players.
Wrobleski pitched in the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking his first appearance since being placed on the 15-day injured list last month because of left forearm inflammation. He allowed three runs (two earned) and collected four strikeouts in two innings out of the bullpen, a role he is expected to fill for the remainder of the season.
It was a continuation of Wrobleski’s struggles as a starting pitcher prior to landing on the IL. He posted an 8.69 ERA in 19.2 innings and allowed at least four runs in each of his last four starts.
Wrobleski often fell behind in the count against the Cardinals, which manager Dave Roberts believes has been a key factor in his recent cold spell on the mound.
“I think with Justin, it’s strike one,” Roberts said when asked what has been different for Wrobleski since his early-season success. “I think if you look at when he was really good, he was working ahead, he works quick. But then I think before he went on the IL, and then [Tuesday] there was a lot of behind in the count.
“Then you’re 1-0, and you give in, and then there’s hard contact. Whereas if you’re 0-1, a lot of times hitters are in between, and then you can get the soft contact, the pop-up, infield pop-up. I think it’s just really, really driven by, and for all pitchers, but Justin in particular, getting strike one.”
Roberts attributed Wrobleski’s recent inability to throw first-pitch strikes to execution rather than confidence.
“It’s not confidence,” Roberts began. “I think there’s a mentality, potentially, about being too fine. I know he wants to go after guys, and he understands the value of strike one. But at the end of the day, you still got to execute it. But for this guy, it’s not confidence, but it is about execution.”
Dave Roberts: Justin Wrobleski will benefit from role change
Wrobleski thrived as a starting pitcher during the first half of the season en route to making his first All-Star team. But after a rough end to July and August, Roberts is hopeful his move to the bullpen will allow him to reset and get back on track.
“I do like the way giving him a little breather, I think, helped. I’m really anxious to see how it looks in short spurts, but at the end of the day, the formula is still get ahead,” Roberts reiterated. I do think the stuff will tick up, as far as the velocity.
“Last year out of the ‘pen, it was 97 to 99 (mph), and getting ahead of guys. So that’s who we expect him to be for the rest of September.”
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