The Los Angeles Dodgers (18-10) are top the NL West, but they might not be able to rely on their early success because the starting rotation is in shambles. Beyond Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke the club doesn't have much.
Hyun-Jin Ryu has yet to pitch this season because he's been dealing with shoulder inflammation. He was shut down during spring training and began progressing in his rehab lately as the team expected him to return to the rotation in June. However, he's suffered a setback and now the trade rumors will once again resurface for Los Angeles, who has already lost Brandon McCarthy to Tommy John surgery.
"Hyun-Jin Ryu appears no closer to the big-league mound, and in fact seems quite a ways away from returning to it," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "While no major structural damage has been seen in multiple MRIs, it's possible there's a fraying of the labrum, which may not show up on such a diagnostic test. Ryu has felt an irritation whenever he's gone to throw, and while there's no labrum tear diagnosed and no reason to believe the injury is serious, a shoulder/labrum cleanup can't be ruled out at this point. Manager Don Mattingly conceded Wednesday night Ryu's been 'slowed a bit' in his return efforts."
"The Dodgers' summer trade plans could hinge in large part on Ryu's health," adds Jeff Todd of MLBTradeRumors.com.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged that the club will look to solve the rotation issues internally on a turn-by-turn basis because big trades probably won't begin to occur until June or July. He did not rule out making a deal for another starter, and those possible trade talks have likely increased with growing speculation that Greinke will opt out of his contract once the season ends.
So here are the candidates the club might consider.
Cole Hamels : make a deal happen
Johnny Cueto: Sources have said
Jordan Zimmermann - The two-time All-Star is off to a slow start in 2015 (2-2 with a 4.15 ERA), but he'll likely return to form sooner rather than later. He'll also hit free agency at the end of the season and the Nationals have failed to sign him to a contract extension on multiple occasions. It's pretty clear he won't remain in Washington beyond 2015, so the Nats might seek to get value in return for the right-hander considering they have prospects Lucas Giolito and A.J. Cole as well as reliever Tanner Roark ready to slide into the rotation if need be.
Scott Kazmir - The left-hander is off to a great start this season with the Oakland Athletics and it's more than likely general manager Billy Beane will look to trade him because the club won't be able to afford him once he hits free agency in the fall. Kazmir pitched for the Rays when Friedman was running the show in Tampa Bay, so a reunion at the trade deadline wouldn't be surprising. He'll also be much cheaper (in terms of trade value) than the aforementioned options, and if the Dodgers remain hesitant with giving up their better prospects, this could be their best option.
"[The Dodgers have] managed to go 3-3 in the six previous starts by pitchers who weren't supposed to be in the rotation, but there is no way they can count on even that mediocrity continuing," writes Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. "Should they make it to the playoffs, they're going to need a reliable No. 3 starter. And right now, they have Kershaw and Greinke and a lot of trouble."
As we get closer to the trade deadline, the Dodgers' plans will become more transparent.
