Umpires nix Dodgers’ idea to bring a position player to the mound

Umpires barred Dodgers manager Dave Roberts from using a position player to pitch the ninth inning Saturday night against the New York Mets, enforcing a rule that prevents teams from using non-pitchers when there’s a deficit of five runs or fewer. Roberts said he did not realize the rule was in effect after it was initially passed before the 2020 season, then suspended for two years amid pandemic rule adjustments. “The goalposts have been moving a lot,”he said.“it’s an oversight on my part, but I do recall that we did it last year. They kind of had to confer to make sure that it was the case. They got it right, the umpires.”

With Los Angeles trailing 9-4, Roberts sent utility player Zach Mckinstry to the mound to begin the ninth, but Mckinstry was halted by umpires. A lengthy delay and discussion followed, and umpires used headsets to discuss the situation with officials in New York. Crew chief C.B. Bucknor announced that Mckinstry would not be allowed to pitch, and right-hander Evan Phillips began warming in the Dodgers bullpen.

Roberts implied that Mets manager Buck Showalter demanded the rule be enforced, but Showalter said the umpires acted without his intervention.

When umpires signaled that Phillips needed to relocate his warm-up throws to the game mound, bullpen coach Josh Bard jogged out of the bullpen and screamed that Phillips wasn’t ready. Phillips was given unlimited time to warm up, and the delay lasted around 11 minutes in total.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler made the shortest start of his career, allowing five runs in 21/3 innings, and Los Angeles lost 9-4.