Shohei Ohtani was a no-show for the All-Star Game festivities and missed pitching the weekend before against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now, his first start of the second half, lined up for their three-game set in the Bronx, is officially off the table. That’s a brutal start to the trade deadline countdown, especially with the Dodgers' pitching rotation already looking like their biggest area of concern.
Dodgers' Rotation Is Limping Hard
The rotation has mostly fared well, sure, but dig into the details: Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have combined for a meager 42 2/3 innings this season. Not good, folks! Plus, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan have seen their fair share of struggles out on the mound. There's internal hope: Snell is on the mend from surgery to remove left elbow loose bodies, and Glasnow is working back from lower back spasms. The hope is Snell returns by mid-August, Glasnow by the end of the month. But if either has a setback, it creates an undeniable need for external rotation help before that August 3rd deadline. They can't afford to wait.It's Tarik Skubal Or Bust
So, who's the biggest fish heading into this deadline? It's the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. The southpaw missed 39 games after surgery for bone chips in his left elbow, but when healthy, he's been one of Detroit’s most reliable arms. The Dodgers will certainly be among many buyers trying to add Skubal’s services. Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times put it simply: "get it done." He argues Skubal is there for the taking, and with their asset-rich farm system of minor leaguers and fringe major leaguers, the Dodgers are in the best position. Give the Tigers "whatever anonymous talents they desire," because as Dodgers fans know, nobody laments lost prospects when big leaguers are parading down Figueroa. That's the mindset! While the hope is Ohtani will at least be in the lineup soon, the starting pitching staff needs serious attention. With the August 3rd trade deadline looming and Skubal as the clear top prize, the Dodgers have massive decisions to make. Will they swing for the fences with a blockbuster, or roll the dice and hope for the best? This next stretch tells us everything.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.