The Los Angeles Dodgers opened camp in Spring Training with more starters than they knew what to do with, but after multiple injuries and Trevor Bauer being placed on administrative leave while under investigation for alleged sexual assault, the team is down to just three healthy starting pitchers.
L.A. has begun to stretch out David Price to take a rotation spot and received positive news with Clayton Kershaw experiencing forearm inflammation, however they still need pitchers to eat innings.
With the need for rotation help, it is a guarantee they will explore all avenues to acquire a starter or two.
As part of their search, the Dodgers reportedly be among the teams attending the Cole Hamels showcase this week, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times:
The #Dodgers will be among the teams at a July 16 workout for veteran LHP Cole Hamels, who was limited by shoulder inflammation and fatigue to one start with #Braves in 2020 but is healthy now. Hamels, 37, has a career 163-122 record and 3.43 ERA in 15 MLB seasons.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 9, 2021
Hamels, now 37 years old, made his MLB debut for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and became a fixture in their rotation until he was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015. The southpaw stayed in Texas until he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2018, where he remained until signing with the Atlanta Braves in 2020.
With the Braves, Hamels only made one start before being shut down for the season with shoulder fatigue.
He holds a career 3.43 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 51.6 WAR in 422 starts and one relief appearance. In 2,698 innings pitched, Hamels has struck out 8.54 batters per nine and walked 2.56 per nine.
While it remains to be seen how much gas the southpaw has left in the tank, it’s possible he could help stabilize the rotation and provide them with some quality starts and innings.
If signed, Hamels would be the seventh member of the 2008 Phillies to join the Dodgers.
They have previously acquired Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Joe Blanton, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Madson over the years.
Dodgers trying to get away from bullpen games
The Dodgers have been relying on bullpen games to fill the spots in their rotation, and while they have generally been effective, manager Dave Roberts said that is not a sustainable strategy to use through the season.
“I just don’t think it’s sustainable for our club because you have to have a handful of guys that can take down multiple innings,” Roberts said.
“And if you don’t have that then the rubber is gonna hit the road at some point and you’re gonna be in a dire situation if a particular game goes sideways.”
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