With the 2021 MLB trade deadline fast approaching on July 30, the Los Angeles Dodgers figure to be plenty active as they look to address their pitching need.
That would appear likely to come in the rotation, which currently has just three healthy, fully stretched out and experienced starters. David Price is in the process of building his innings and Josiah Gray presumably could make a spot start or two after his MLB debut out of the bullpen.
Though, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the team could very well address their pitching staff at the trade deadline by acquiring relief help as well.
However it may ultimately unfold, one option no longer on the table is Kansas City Royals starter Danny Duffy because he suffered a left flexor strain. The Dodgers were among the teams with trade interest, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Cross the Royals’ Danny Duffy off the list of available starting pitchers now that he is suffering from a left flexor strain.
The Dodgers were among the teams interested in Duffy, who last month gained the right to block any trade as a player with 10 years of service, five consecutive with the same club.
Duffy is a Lompoc, California native and presumably would have waived his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers. That of course is a moot point as the 32-year-old is on the 10-day injured list for a second time this season because of the forearm injury.
Duffy previously spent six weeks sidelined by the same flexor strain. He returned June 23 and pitched to a 3.72 ERA in six games (five starts), though didn’t go more than five innings in any of those appearances.
Overall this season Duffy is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 13 games (12 starts). He would have been a potential rental for the Dodgers in the final season of a five-year, $65 million contract signed with the Royals before the 2017 campaign.
Dodgers trade targets
While Duffy is no longer an option for L.A., there are several other hurlers believed to be on the market, ranging from Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer to more innings-eater types.
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