After months of shuffling through internal options to fill their starting rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first move outside of the organization netted them Bud Norris in a five-player trade with the Atlanta Braves.
Norris was acquired in response to losing Clayton Kershaw to the 15-day disabled list because of a mild disc herniation. While Norris was stepping in for the three-time Cy Young Award, he isn’t viewed as a replacement for Kershaw.
The right-hander had a strong debut with his new club, throwing six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. However, Norris has been spotty since that July 1 start at Dodger Stadium.
After allowing just one home run since April, the Washington Nationals tagged Norris for three homers in five-plus innings on Wednesday.
One was a 451-foot shot clubbed by Bryce Harper in the first inning that reached the third deck in right field. Ben Revere and Jayson Werth then hit back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth.
In the aftermath of another subpar outing, Norris said his focus remains on keeping the Dodgers in contention during his starts, per Andy McCullough of the LA Times:
“I’m just trying to compete, and give everything I’ve got for the team,” Norris said. “That’s really what I want to focus on.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated his confidence in Norris’ pitching ability, per Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“I think it’s just the mistakes he’s been making,” Roberts said. “I think the stuff’s good. The fastball life is good. He’s still throwing the cut fastball, the curveball. He’s got a good (pitch) mix. But I think he just can’t find that rhythm to sustain it for six, seven innings. Just the way the ball comes out of his hand, I know there’s a lot more in there.”
Aside from being stung by the long ball, Norris pitched well from the second through fourth inning. He retired 11 straight batters, a streak that was snapped by Revere’s home run. Though, Norris was removed after a leadoff walk in the sixth and subsequent RBI double.
Norris has allowed 13 earned runs and four homers over 15 innings pitched in his last three starts. However, given the Dodgers’ limited options at present time, he figures to remain part of the rotation.
