LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers have hired their first African-American skipper.

Dave Roberts, 43, has spent the last four years in the San Diego Padres dugout, most recently as the Padres’ bench coach.

Roberts will be hitting the ground running given his relative inexperience and the pressure the Dodgers are under to succeed immediately. He has never managed at any level.

As an outfielder, Roberts starred at UCLA before playing 10 major league seasons for five different teams from 1999-2008. He broke through as an everyday player after being traded to the Dodgers prior to the 2002 season, then was traded to the Boston Red Sox in July 2004.

Roberts' contract has yet to be finalized. He will be formally introduced next week.

The Dodgers parted ways with Don Mattingly on Oct. 22. The following week, Mattingly was named manager of the Miami Marlins.

Story Date: November 25, 2015