The Los Angeles Dodgers are continuing to retool their injury-riddled roster, completing a last-minute blockbuster deal for one of the league’s top trade targets.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers for ace pitcher Jack Flaherty, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Flaherty, 28, was born in Burbank and attended Harvard-Westlake High School.
Putting together one of his best seasons as a major-leaguer, Flaherty has started 18 games for the Tigers, boasting a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and striking out 133 batters. His career record is 49-39 with a career ERA of 3.64.
Flaherty will provide an immediate boost to the Dodgers starting pitching rotation that has been mired with injuries to key starters, including club legend Clayton Kershaw, who just returned last week, and rookie sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is ramping up for a return.
The Dodgers pitching staff have missed Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin for the entire season, and former starters Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler have spent time between the injured list and the minor leagues to work out some pitching woes. The team has relied heavily on unproven rookies and youngsters in their stead.
Flaherty will head to Los Angeles and the Dodgers will send a group of prospects to Detroit. FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray reported the outgoing Dodgers include catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney.
Flaherty is making about $14 million per year and is signed through the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Baseball Reference.
In another move, the Dodgers traded pitcher Ryan Yarbrough to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, according to Murray. The 34-year-old is having his worst year behind the plate with a .195 batting average, but is a career .246 hitter.
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Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals fields a ground ball by the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on September 29, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images) -
Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 25, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) -
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Amed Rosario, right, celebrates with Mookie Betts after scoring off a sacrifice fly hit by Kolten Wong against the Seattle Mariners during the 10th inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
On Monday, the Dodgers made a bevy of trades including acquiring infielder/utility man Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals and right-handed reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team deal that saw the team send out Miguel Vargas.
Later in the evening, the Dodgers acquired shortstop Amed Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays. It was the second time in as many years that the Dodgers acquired Rosario in a trade at the deadline. Prior to Tuesday’s transaction, Yarborough was originally designated for assignment to make roster space for Rosario.
The Dodgers roster has been decimated by injuries to key starters, including shortstop Mookie Betts and third-baseman Max Muncy. First baseman Freddie Freeman has been granted time off for a family matter.
Ol’ reliable Shohei Ohtani and newcomer Teoscar Hernandez have kept the Dodgers offense afloat as they hold onto the top spot in the NL West. The Dodgers are 63-44 on the season and their next series is against the San Diego Padres who sit just 6.5 games back from their their Southern California rivals.