Umpires bar Dodgers’ Roberts from pitching position player

By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Umpires barred Dodgers manager Dave Roberts from using a position player to pitch the ninth inning against the New York Mets, enforcing a rule that prevents teams from using non-pitchers with a deficit of five runs or fewer. Roberts said he did not realize the rule was in effect after it was initially passed prior to the 2020 season, then suspended for two years amid rule adjustments prompted by the pandemic. Roberts called it an “oversight on my part.” Los Angeles trailed 9-4 when Roberts sent utility player Zach McKinstry to the mound to begin the ninth. McKinstry was halted by umpires, and the Dodgers were forced to warm up reliever Evan Phillips.