The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a difficult time keeping their starting rotation healthy. A clear example has been getting both Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell back from injuries only to lose them again shortly after.
Snell underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies, a procedure that has become increasingly common at this stage of MLB seasons. Glasnow is still expected to need additional time before making his return.
“The Dodgers lost both Glasnow and Blake Snell to injury, which has left the starting rotation dependent on young pitchers to keep it afloat. Glasnow landed on the injured list with lower back spasms earlier this month. The right-hander was initially expected to miss the minimum amount of time, but is now nowhere near a return,” SI’s Valentina Martinez wrote.
One player expected to step up in the meantime is second-year pitcher Roki Sasaki. However, he has continued to struggle in the rotation.
“It’s clear Sasaki has struggled as a starting pitcher in the big leagues to open his career, and he will need to figure out how to navigate this moving forward. The Dodgers seem to be giving him a long leash, but with the organization’s goals of winning the World Series, Sasaki can’t continue to be a weak spot in the rotation,” SI’s Matt Levine wrote.
With the rotation still a concern, the Dodgers are expected to pursue a major arm. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has emerged as a target for Los Angeles.
“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
The Dodgers would face stiff competition from the Blue Jays, Padres, and Yankees in any potential bidding war. However, Los Angeles could offer Skubal the kind of long-term extension flexibility few other contenders can match.
Skubal is also a Scott Boras client, and Boras is known for maximizing value in contract years. Not only would Skubal immediately strengthen the Dodgers’ chances of winning a third straight World Series, but he could also solidify their status as long-term favorites.
