Dodger fans are a rather impatient bunch. Oh sure, our Brooklyn predecessors had to wait more than half a century before winning their first World Series title, but they were anything but patient about it. And a good percentage of today’s Dodger fans weren’t even born when the Dodgers won their last World Series in 1988, so their impatience is undoubtedly magnified. But there’s impatience and then there’s impatience, and it’s probably safe to say that most Dodger fans have had it with Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez.

On Monday Baez entered the game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium with the Dodgers trailing 4-3 – a game that was most certainly still very winnable. But by the end of that half-inning, the Dodgers found themselves down 7-3 but still “within slam range,” as former Dodger and current Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker calls it.

But something happened during that half-inning, something that was both disturbing to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt but even more so something that was almost intolerable for Dodger fans. Baez made a total of 29 pitches in the inning and took 30 minutes to do it. I mean, how is this even possible? Baez ended up allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout and left the game to a chorus of boos from angry Dodger fans.

In addition to nearly lulling fans to sleep in his last two appearances, the time Baez is taking between pitches is also adversely affecting the sharpness of his defense. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

During that insufferable half-hour, Baez threw 21 fastballs (no pun intended), five curveballs and three sliders. And while I’m no math major, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that this figures out to be more than a minute per pitch, which is a direct violation of MLB Rule 8.04:

20-Second Rule

A modified version of Rule 8.04, which discourages unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply. Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher’s violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call “Ball.”

Obviously, this rule was not enforced against Baez on Monday night.

…or on Wednesday night.

During Wednesday’s third game of the annual Freeway Series between the Dodgers and Angels – this one at Angels Stadium – Baez entered the lopsided (and not in a good way) 8-1 game with one out in the eighth inning. He made a total of 17 pitches which, according to these tweets by DodgerTalk co-host David Vassegh, took between 31 and 46 seconds each.

It also generated these tweets:

Even Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully seemed to lose patience with Baez on Wednesday night.

“It must be maddening to throw the ball as hard as Baez can throw it, 97-98, and really have no idea where it’s going,” said Scully during the televised broadcast.

While it’s easy to make light of Baez’s issues, it could very well be a sign that there is something seriously wrong with the 28-year-old Bani, Dominican Republic native. Fortunately, Roberts appears to at least be aware of the problem, although he gave no indication of what he plans to do about it.

“We talked about his tempo and that’s something we continue to talk about,” Roberts said after Wednesday’s game.

When asked if there might be more to it, such as an injury or a case of the yips, the Dodgers skipper minimized the issue.

“Might be a little overthinking things.”

Although it’s clear that Roberts didn’t want to talk about Baez’s issues with reporters, the higher-ups may already be taking matters into their own hands. Although it has yet to be confirmed, it appears that Taiwanese right-hander Chin-hui Tsao may be headed back to the Dodgers.

Tsao appeared in five games with the Dodgers in 2015 – all in relief – posting a 1-1 record and rather ugly 10.27 ERA in his seven innings of work. He did, however, strike out seven while walking three and, as noted in the above, he is 1-1 with an impressive 3.31 ERA and six saves with the Oklahoma City Dodgers where he has struck out 14 while walking five in his 16.1 innings of work.

Although Tsao is OKC’s top closer, if he is indeed on his way to L.A. he would more than likely but used as a set-up man for Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen – a role that had been shared between Baez and right-hander Chris Hatcher.

Regardless of the reason behind Baez’s issues, perhaps a little time in Oklahoma City would do him a world of good; because Heaven knows, if things remain the way they are, we will all grown even more impatient (and old) with him and with the Dodgers as a whole.