Despite a 58-39 record at the 2025 All-Star break, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is not satisfied, citing poor pitching as a major concern for the stretch run.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the All-Star break in a familiar position: atop the NL West with a stellar 58-39 record. But while fans might be enjoying the midsummer pause, manager Dave Roberts is sending a clear message: what they've done so far isn't good enough. In a candid media session, Roberts expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's first-half performance, setting a demanding tone for the stretch run.
I think you can be satisfied with the first half. I don't think I'm in that situation... I think we just have to get a lot better.
The Dodgers aren't just talking about improvement; they're making moves. On Tuesday, the team sent veteran reliever Blake Treinen on a rehab assignment to the ACL Dodgers. This is a massive step forward for the right-hander, whose high-leverage experience has been sorely missed in the bullpen. His potential return could be the single biggest mid-season addition the team makes. In a smaller corresponding move, the club traded righty Noah Davis to the Minnesota Twins, a minor deal that nonetheless shows the front office is actively churning the roster as it evaluates its second-half needs.
The need for arms like Treinen is underscored by the team's lengthy injury report. The bullpen took a season-ending hit with closer Evan Phillips undergoing Tommy John surgery. The team is still hoping for a late-season boost from Brusdar Graterol, who is targeting a possible September return from his own surgery. Meanwhile, Kyle Hurt and River Ryan continue their own rehabs, serving as a constant reminder of the depth the team has lost. Getting healthy, particularly in the bullpen, will be just as important as any trade deadline acquisition.
The All-Star break offers a moment to breathe, but for the Dodgers, it's the calm before the storm. The mandate from the manager is clear: the 58-39 record is a starting point, not a destination. With key players nearing a return and the trade deadline looming, the next two weeks will define whether this team can patch its pitching holes and transform from a good first-half team into a true World Series contender. The push for a championship banner starts now.
