What once appeared to be a clear strength of the roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers now are in need of starting pitching due to a rash of injuries and uncertainty looming with Trevor Bauer remaining on administrative leave and under investigation for alleged sexual assault.
When the Dodgers reported to camp for Spring Training, manager Dave Roberts touted their pitching staff as having eight viable starters. With that, Tony Gonsolin, David Price and Jimmy Nelson were shifted to the bullpen when the Opening Day roster was set.
However, Gonsolin landed on the 10-day injured list before throwing a pitch this season and didn’t return until June 9. Gonsolin also battled some shoulder fatigue upon coming off the IL and continues to work toward finding a rhythm.
Meanwhile, Dustin May was lost for the year due to Tommy John surgery, and Clayton Kershaw is on the mend from left forearm inflammation.
As expected, the Dodgers are in search of starting pitching help as the MLB trade deadline approaches, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
The @MLB Trade Deadline is in 12 days. Per sources, the @Yankees are checking in on outfielders everywhere, the @Dodgers are “on the starting pitcher warpath” and the @Athletics are scouring the market for relief help. Expect a lot of movement between now and July 30.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 18, 2021
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently went on record to acknowledge the team was in search of pitching at this year’s July 30 trade deadline. Though, Friedman added that could come by way of a relief pitcher or starter.
With Bauer and Kershaw unavailable, the Dodgers have moved Price into the starting rotation for at least the time being. The club is in need of a starter Tuesday to fill Kershaw’s turn in the rotation, and may call on Josiah Gray for his MLB debut.
Potential Dodgers trade targets
The Dodgers being in need of pitching comes when there may be a surplus of starters available at the deadline.
Chief among them could be Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer, Jose Berrios and Michael Pineda of the Minnesota Twins, and the Texas Rangers’ Kyle Gibson, among others.
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