Key Takeaways:
– Despite leading the NL West, the LA Dodgers are grappling with multiple injuries.
– The team may need to reinforce their starting rotation, with trade rumors focusing on Tyler Anderson.
– Anderson, a former Dodgers All-Star, may bring much-needed strength to the team’s weakened rotation.
– Currently positioned with the Angels, Anderson is likely to be traded as the deadline approaches.
Injury-Plagued Dodgers Seek Reinforcements
Though the LA Dodgers have maintained an impressive 48-31 record and hold a comfortable 8.5-game lead in the NL West, they’re confronting more than their fair share of challenges. Injuries have beleaguered this team, disrupting the performance of key players and jeopardizing their stellar performance.
The most significant concern is the injury toll on their starting rotation. The reality is that persistent injuries to key pitchers may require proactive action from the Dodgers. The team may have to swing a trade deal to bolster their pitching capacity. The time looms close when team management would likely consider adding a cost-effective, consistent pitcher to negate this injury effect.
Injuries Rock Dodgers’ Pitching Line Up
For context, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the Dodgers’ key pitchers, is suffering from a shoulder injury. His timeline for return remains unclear. Walker Buehler is another pain point. He’s on the disabled list due to a hip injury, having struggled while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. Ace Clayton Kershaw has also been absent this season, as he nurses a shoulder injury post-surgery.
Trade Rumors Swirl Around Tyler Anderson
Amidst these injuries and uncertainty, one name is circulating as a potential trade candidate: left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson. Presently, with the Angels and familiar to the Dodgers due to previous stints, acquiring Anderson could give the Dodgers much-needed rotation support.
Southern California sports analysis site LAFB cited Anderson as a prospective replacement for Yamamoto. Analyst Matt Johnson endorsed Anderson, emphasizing the Dodgers’ need for reliable, healthy players. “Tyler Anderson can do just that,” Johnson wrote in a recent post.
Anderson’s Track Record
The southpaw pitcher, aged 34, had a stellar 2022 season with the Dodgers. He delivered a remarkable 2.57 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and a 138-34 K-BB ratio in 178.2 innings. Unfortunately, he had a less than impressive 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels. However, Anderson is regaining his form this season, posting a 2.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 14 starts.
Remember when Anderson secured an All-Star spot with the Dodgers before attracting a lucrative three-year, $39 million contract from the Angels? That familiar face could soon be standing on the Dodgers’ mound again. He had a winning innings of 15-5 during his career-best season with the Dodgers. Despite a struggle in his first season with the Angels, Anderson is bouncing back in 2022, holding a 6-7 record with a 2.48 ERA.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested Anderson as a likely trading candidate in the coming July season. If the Angels embark on a rebuilding program, Anderson could be a valuable acquisition for teams needing a reliable starting pitcher. The post-Dodgers Trade Pitch Would Yield Reunion With $39 Million All-Star originally appeared at Heavy.com.
The Dodgers’ fans and management will closely monitor developments in the coming weeks. If the team secures a deal with Anderson, it could be the shot in the arm needed to sustain their winning streak and overcome their injury struggles.