Dave Roberts: Dodgers Need Right-Handed Bats To Produce

The Los Angeles Dodgers were dealt a major blow last week when Andy Pages suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Bubba Chandler.

Pages has since undergone a “minor procedure” to insert a screw into his hand and is expected to return in four to five weeks.

It’s a disappointing development for Pages, who was on pace to set career highs in doubles, homers, RBI and on-base plus slugging percentage this season. His bat will be sorely missed in a Dodgers lineup that hasn’t gotten much production from right-handed hitters lately.

Manager Dave Roberts called on Teoscar Hernández and Mookie Betts to step up in Pages’ absence.

“We got to get Teo going,” Roberts began. “I like his work; it just certainly hasn’t translated to the field consistently. Mookie, I think that he’s in a much better spot. Certainly, when you take on some left-handers, some tough lefties, you’re going to need that production from those right-hand hitters too.”

Hernández has been key to the Dodgers’ success in recent years, but currently is in the midst of a difficult stretch. Since returning from the injured list at the end of June, he is hitting just .206/.253/.335 with six doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBI in 166 plate appearances across 45 games.

Hernández has put up solid numbers against left-handed pitching, but recently said he is focused on improving against right-handers. He has a .662 on-base plus slugging against righties compared to a .783 OPS when facing southpaws.

As for Betts, he has been one of the Dodgers’ most productive bats this month. Since Aug. 5, he is batting .297/.357/.484 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI in 17 games. Betts believes all of the work he is putting in behind the scenes has brought him closer to fixing his swing.

Dodgers counting on Will Smith

With Pages set to miss the next month of games, the Dodgers are optimistic that Will Smith will provide a boost to their lineup when he is activated off the injured list.

“It’s huge,” Roberts said of Smith’s imminent return. “I mean, I think he’s really hand agnostic, but just his at-bat quality behind the plate, just getting in the lineup, and certainly, yeah, you lose a right-handed bat like Andy, to have Will back in there, certainly raises our floor.”

Smith is starting his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and could potentially rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand at the start of September.