Rather than address their bullpen at the non-waiver trade deadline with top-end talent, the Los Angeles Dodgers instead opted for that route on the position player side. After acquiring Manny Machado and Brian Dozier, the Dodgers completed a more under-the-radar trade for John Axford.
A veteran reliever with experience as a closer, Axford was knocked around in his Dodgers debut. He rebounded with back-to-back encouraging appearances but suffered a fractured fibula that has since forced the right-hander to the 10-day disabled list.
The Dodgers banked on Kenley Jansen’s return stabilizing the unit but the All-Star closer has yet to pitch to his usual standards. Jansen recently stopped taking medication that he believed was having a negative impact on his body.
Meanwhile, as the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline rapidly approaches, the Dodgers reportedly claimed Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Madson on waivers. The clubs were given 48 hours — until Friday afternoon or thereabouts — to work out a potential trade.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers acquired Madson from the Nationals in exchange for …
#Dodgers acquiring Ryan Madson from #Nationals, source tells The Athletic. Return not yet known. Claim of Madson first reported by @kengurnick.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 31, 2018
Madson has pitched to a 5.28 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.42 WHIP while striking out 41 and walking 15 in 44.1 innings across 49 games this season. Madson’s statistics are a bit inflated due allowing six runs in just 2.2 innings over his last three appearances for the Nationals.
It was just last season that the 13-year veteran sported an impressive 1.83 ERA over 60 games between the Oakland Athletics and Nationals.
Madson was recently sidelined by lower back pain that caused discomfort down his leg. He also missed time in May due to a chest strain.
Madson will become a free agent at season’s end.
