Social media mixed on Roberts’ short leash

In one of the most memorable and controversial managerial decisions of the 2016 season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed starter Rich Hill on Saturday after he had compiled a perfect game through seven innings against the Marlins.

Hill had thrown just 89 pitches while retiring the first 21 batters with very little stress, but Roberts, considering both Hill’s injury history and the fragile state of his current rotation, removed him from a chance at history.

After the Dodgers’ 5-0 win, Roberts revealed that another blister may have been forming on the index finger of Hill’s left pitching hand.

Such issues have already cost Hill several weeks of playing time this season, leading some observers and fans to praise Roberts on social media for keeping the team’s bigger picture in mind by saving his pitcher from further injury.

Still, others were upset that Hill was kept from achieving something that only 23 other pitchers in the history of baseball have been able to do: Throw a perfect game.

Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson, who has been on the disabled list with a back injury of his own, made reference to the tough decisions Roberts has had to face this year in regard to Hill and rookie Ross Stripling, who was removed after tossing 7 1/3 no-hit innings back on April 8. Anderson also said the most important result is that Hill remain healthy for potential Dodgers playoff series this fall.

Nobody would want to come out in that situation..however it will be nice to have one of the best pitchers in baseball healthy going forward.

— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) …

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