“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the big piece,” Skubal told reporters in his first media availability. “They’ve been a pretty good baseball team without me. So I’m going to show up and kind of be a chameleon in a sense and fit right in with these guys and just gel with them.“

He also added: “They’ve got the winning recipe. They know what it takes to win. I don’t. I’m going to lean on these guys, let them guide me and lead me.“

The Dodgers have won the last two World Series titles, and this season they will be chasing the coveted three-peat. Skubal’s arrival is no coincidence, as the team has assembled one of the greatest starting rotations ever.

Skubal brings elite pedigree to Los Angeles

The trade addition of reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal gives the Los Angeles Dodgers a legitimate rotation ace capable of dominating in October. After returning from a minor elbow procedure in mid-June, Skubal was exceptional for the Detroit Tigers in 2026, posting a 5–4 record with a stellar 2.55 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts over 95.1 innings across 16 starts.

Equipped with a high-90s fast-ball and a devastating changeup, Skubal provides Los Angeles with an elite swing-and-miss left-hander to anchor the top of the rotation, relieve pressure on bullpen depth, and serve as a shutdown Option A in a postseason series.

Winning is the Dodgers’ only goal

Dave Roberts is the leader of a team whose only goal is to become MLB champions once again. Building a competitive roster in this league is the key to achieving that objective.

“I think the thing is that it’s all about winning a championship,” the manager said. “And so I don’t think every clubhouse can say that. Everything we do is geared around that. … Make no mistake that you’re a young player, old player — the goal is to win a championship, and you gotta be additive. So we don’t have the cattiness and the drama. We’re about winning.”

What’s next for Los Angeles?

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road stretch as they wrap up a series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field through August 5. From there, the Dodgers head to Phoenix for a three-game division matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field (August 7–9), before returning home to Dodger Stadium to host a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals (August 10–12) followed by a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers (August 13–16).

With Skubal on the Dodgers, they could be in the mix for the best MLB rotation ever. Now, they add a very talented left-hander pitcher with All-Star potential in Bubic, to give them long-term insurance and depth to an injury-depleted rotation. The Royals let one good player go, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Bubic is still recovering from an injury, but he brings late-season depth for this team without sacrificing quality. Because the Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches when healthy, Bubic was acquired primarily as a safety net. His career splits show he is highly effective as a reliever (2.97 ERA), meaning manager Dave Roberts can easily transition him into a bullpen, though he can be a starter too.

What does Bubic bring to the table?

Bubic is a leftie that brings a high strikeout rate. He can also be a multi-inning reliever or a starter if needed. Once he recovers from the left elbow soreness and left shoulder discomfort, he can be immediately of great use for the Dodgers.

In 2026, he has a 3-2 record and has 51 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. Bubic brings an elite changeup, but his sweeper has improved heavily and also has an efficient four-seam fastball. He is way more than a one-trick pony.

It’s championship-or-bust for the Dodgers

Not only do the Dodgers have the best pitching staff in the MLB, it is by a mile. Add that to their offensive prowess, and there’s really no excuse for them to not win a championship.

Add the fact that they have two straight World Series, so they know how to play do-or-die instances too. If the Dodgers don’t win, it is a sports and economic catastrophe for the team.

As the 29-year-old starting pitcher leaves the city he called home for his entire MLB career to return to his home state of California, the organization in Motor City posted a farewell message.

“For what you mean to this city. For what you mean to these fans. For what you mean to this team. Thank you, Skub,” the Tigers wrote on a social media post bidding farewell to their longtime starting pitcher.

Skubal is ready for next chapter

Meanwhile, Skubal sent an emotional message to the Tigers and expressed his excitement about joining the Dodgers. Skubal couldn’t hide his excitement as he joins the apex predator in MLB. By adding the former Tigers ace, the Dodgers can make the case that they boast the most dominant pitching rotation in league history.

The Tigers fought all they could, but destiny arrived all the same. With the clock ticking before the MLB trade deadline and the team mired below .500, there was simply no way they could hold on to Skubal. If Detroit did, it would have been in vain, as the ace would have left in free agency after the season.

Just as the Dodgers had the assets to pull off a trade, they also could have handed Skubal a blank check to fill in the zeros. One way or another, Skubal was LA-bound. This way, at least, the Tigers come away with prospects in return.

Skubal’s return to Comerica Park

As the trade has been made official, Skubal and the Dodgers can look ahead to the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. That includes a three-game road series against the Tigers, meaning Skubal already knows when he will return to Motor City.

The Dodgers will be in town from Aug. 28-30, and it’s likely Skubal will start at least one of those games, giving fans one last chance to see him pitch at Comerica Park before the season ends. It will be the first of many, as Detroit fans will have to get used to seeing Skubal in a different uniform.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything the Tigers have done for me,” he said via ESPN. “Drafting me in 2018, giving a kid from a small college an opportunity, and providing me with every resource available… Everything has always been there for me.

“They always had answers and a plan for me; so, yes, I feel like I’ve been through a lot and experienced plenty of failures early in my career, but this organization never stopped believing in me. They kept sending me out there to pitch every five days, even when I probably didn’t deserve it. It’s something I will never take for granted.”

Visibly emotional and with his voice breaking, Skubal reflected on what lies ahead in this new chapter of his career with the Dodgers: “Yes, it’s exciting,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Skubal’s legacy in Detroit

As one of the most dominant aces of his era, Tarik Skubal leaves an indelible legacy in Detroit Tigers history as the undisputed anchor of their rotation. Highlighted by back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards (2024, 2025) and an iconic 2024 AL Pitching Triple Crown—leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts—Skubal transformed into a elite force on the mound.

Across his career in Detroit, the team that also shared a farewell message following Skubal’s departure, the two-time All-Star recorded more than 60 wins, posted an ERA around 3.04, and tallied nearly 1,000 strikeouts, cementing his status alongside franchise legends as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in team history.

Dodgers pursuing a three-peat

Although Tarik Skubal is not taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox, the excitement surrounding their new acquisition is still at an all-time high. The Dodgers are looking to win their third consecutive World Series title.

In 2024, they eliminated Aaron Boone’s New York Yankees in a dominant 4-1 series, while in 2025, their next victim was the Toronto Blue Jays, with the final series being much closer at 4-3.

Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, they’ll have to wait until they see Skubal on the mound with the classic blue cap. The Dodgers will send Emmet Sheehan to the mound tonight vs Red Sox, and Skubal needs time to travel, join the team, and line up for his first official start after leaving the Tigers.

Skubal, whose salary compares to Shohei Ohtani, will provide the Dodgers with an absolute boost as they’ve been dealing with some sort of injuries on their opening rotation. Still, it won’t be tonight against the Red Sox.

Emmet Sheehan’s stats in 2026

Emmet Sheehan has recorded a 4–7 record, a 4.95 ERA, and 104 strikeouts over 19 appearances and 92.2 innings pitched. Hence, Dodgers fans really hoped Skubal could make a quick debut, but it won’t be the case.

Sheehan is still a serviceable pitcher. He features an electric fastball and a sharp slider, but has fought through stretches of poor command and high ERAs. That’s all it is right now.

The Red Sox are in red-hot form

The Red Sox are 7-3 in the last 10 games. However, the Dodgers are 69-42 this season. Hence, this could be a barnburner of a game. Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin have improved massively.

Hence, if Sheehan is not in a good day, the Red Sox can torch him. This will be an absolute must-see game. These are two very good teams in an inter-league matchup.

However, if the Dodgers‘ starting pitchers want to be remembered as the most dominant rotation in MLB history, they have quite a task. The debate over what’s the best rotation of all time revolves, mainly, around three units: the 1998 Braves, 2019 Astros, and 1971 Orioles.

Now, in terms of talent, the Dodgers actual rotation has nothing to envy. When fully healthy, the rotation consists of Tarik Skubal, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow.

Why is the 1998 Braves rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Denny Neagle, and Kevin Millwood.
• The Impact: Featured three future Hall of Famers in their prime.
• The Stats: Led the National League in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and shutouts, anchoring a 106-win team.

Why is the 2019 Astros rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Zack Greinke, and Wade Miley.
• The Impact: Featured two 300-strikeout teammates (Verlander and Cole) in the same rotation.
• The Stats: Verlander and Cole finished 1-2 in the AL Cy Young voting, making this modern powerhouse one of the most statistically overpowering groups ever assembled.

Why is the 1971 Orioles rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Dave McNally, Jim Palmer, Pat Dobson, and Mike Cuellar.
• The Impact: One of only two teams in MLB history (joining the 1920 Chicago White Sox) to feature four 20-game winners in a single season.
• The Stats: They didn’t just win games, they finished them. Throwing a collective 71 complete games meant they rarely had to hand the ball over to the bullpen.

Skubal won a historic salary arbitration case for the 2026 season, securing a $32 million salary. After completing the trade, the Dodgers assumed the remaining prorated portion of that deal, meaning they will pay approximately $10.3 million to $10.5 million through the end of the regular season.

Ohtani‘s annual salary situation is entirely different. Although he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract ahead of the 2024 season, he agreed to defer $680 million of the deal, receiving just $2 million in annual salary through 2033. The remaining deferred payments—worth $68 million per year—will begin in 2034.

Looking ahead, Skubal is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. After winning multiple Cy Young Awards, he is expected to pursue a long-term contract worth approximately $35 million to $40 million annually, without deferred payments.

The Dodgers-Tigers trade

As reported by Jeff Passan on X, the blockbuster trade sends two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a three-prospect package heading to the Detroit Tigers: outfielder Zyhir Hope along with right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.

In pursuit of a three-peat

With a dominant 69–42 record atop the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers have firmly cemented their status as clear favorites to capture a third consecutive World Series title. Bolstering an already elite roster, the addition of Skubal gives Los Angeles an unstoppable rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell, positioning the franchise for a historic championship three-peat.

How much can Skubal give the Dodgers?

Before the trade, Skubal was once again performing as one of baseball’s premier left-handers for Detroit in 2026, posting a 2.79 ERA, a 7–5 record, and 114 strikeouts over 96.2 innings pitched across 16 starts. His ability to neutralize elite righty-heavy lineups provides Los Angeles with the ultimate rotation anchor, making their path through October virtually unassailable.

“While everybody is thinking that the Brewers are gonna be in it, that the Rays are gonna be in it, that the Atlanta Braves are gonna be in it, they’re all almost resigned to the idea that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to get Tarik Skubal,” Passan said on ESPN’s First Take.

The pitcher appears set to leave Comerica Park in the near future. What remains uncertain is whether he will ultimately become a new teammate of Shohei Ohtani for the final stretch of the season.

How would Skubal fit in LA?

Tarik Skubal’s profile fits Dave Roberts’ managerial approach smoothly. With a strong 2026 campaign underway for Detroit—posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 90 innings—Skubal offers the ideal mix of dominant velocity and sharp command.

That ability to rack up whiffs while staying efficient is right down Roberts’ alley, giving him a reliable ace who can maneuver through deep lineups and lighten the load on the bullpen.

Ohtani could be the key to adding Skubal

Shohei Ohtani’s physical issues could be a factor when it comes to pitching. According to insider Jon Morosi on X, those concerns could accelerate the Dodgers’ interest in acquiring Skubal.

“The Dodgers’ interest in Tarik Skubal has increased due to questions surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s availability to pitch, as I reported on @MLBNetwork earlier,” Morosi wrote. “Yet it is unlikely the Tigers could obtain OF prospect Josue De Paula as the headliner in a multi-player package.”

Following the 7-6 defeat at Dodger Stadium, Roberts explained that Ohtani’s throwing program was paused. “I think there is an effect from the lower half to the compromising of the upper half, the arm. Trying to mitigate that, we stopped the throwing, stopped the bullpens — hopefully, number one, take care of the knee and then not have him try to create velocity with the arm that’s not 100 percent,” Roberts said, according to MLB.com.

Despite the concerns surrounding his pitching return, Ohtani showed no signs of slowing down offensively. The Dodgers star hit a leadoff home run, his 23rd of the season, and later added an RBI single and an RBI double in the loss to Seattle.

What is the latest update on Shohei Ohtani’s injury?

After Roberts revealed the Dodgers’ trade‑deadline approach despite injury concerns, he detailed how Ohtani’s knee inflammation had already affected his running progression, while the biceps discomfort emerged after he adjusted his throwing mechanics to compensate for the lower‑body issue.

“If we look at him and his value for our ballclub, we need him in the lineup. The swing, the running of the bases, the knee, the arm — it doesn’t compromise that,” Roberts said after the game.

Will Shohei Ohtani pitch again this season?

Although Ohtani’s return to the mound has been delayed, Roberts said the Dodgers haven’t changed their expectation that he could pitch again if his recovery progresses as planned.

“If the World Series is next week, no [he would not pitch]. He hasn’t been off the mound in three weeks. Whenever that is, there has to be a buildup,” Roberts said. For now, the Dodgers remain focused on keeping Ohtani productive at the plate while carefully managing his return as a pitcher during the final stretch of the season.

The Mets announced the roster move on Saturday, adding that infielder Eric Wagaman has been recalled from Triple-A to take Soto’s place on the active roster while the slugger begins his recovery.

Soto‘s latest setback continues a frustrating season marked by recurring physical issues. The All-Star had already reported soreness in his left calf on July 16, and the injury worsened during Friday’s game, forcing the Mets to sideline one of the key pieces of their lineup.

Juan Soto’s injury continues difficult 2026 season

This isn’t the first time Soto has dealt with lower-body injuries this year. He opened the season by spending time on the injured list with a right calf strain suffered in early April before returning to the lineup.

The outfielder has also battled other physical setbacks during the season. In May, Soto dealt with stiffness in the left side of his back during a series against the Chicago Cubs, while his recent left calf discomfort became an increasing concern over the past two weeks before Friday’s aggravation.

What does Soto’s absence mean for the Mets?

Without Soto, the Mets lose one of the most dangerous hitters in their lineup while hoping his recovery is limited to the minimum stay on the injured list. Soto, the Mets’ lone All‑Star representative, was slashing .283/.408/.539 with 21 home runs through 84 games at the time of this latest setback, production that has been central to keeping New York’s offense competitive.

According to MLB insider Petriello, “The Rays have the 24th-best projected rest-of-season production at second base, and nothing about Arraez’s contract would be out of Tampa Bay’s range. This is a lineup that’s well known for contact, given the lowest-in-MLB strikeout rate, and Arraez would certainly fit into that fingerprint,” he wrote.

The possibility of a trade has gained attention as teams evaluate their needs for the second half of the season. Petriello noted that Tampa Bay’s roster construction and positional situation make the Rays a more natural fit for Arraez than other contenders reportedly interested in the two‑time batting champion.

Why Luis Arraez could fit better with the Rays than Yankees or Dodgers

One of the biggest factors in a potential Arraez trade is his preference to continue playing second base. While his offensive profile makes him valuable to several contenders, his positional expectations could limit the number of teams where he would immediately have a clear role.

The Yankees have reportedly shown interest in Arraez, but Jazz Chisholm Jr. currently occupies second base in New York. The Dodgers also have Tommy Edman handling the position, creating a more complicated fit for a player who wants consistent opportunities at second.

Rays’ position in AL East adds pressure before MLB trade deadline

Tampa Bay enters the trade deadline in a strong position, currently competing at the top of the American League East. Even with a successful season underway, the Rays could look for additions that strengthen their lineup for a potential postseason push.

Arraez would not only bring elite bat-to-ball skills but also postseason experience after previous runs with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. His ability to control at-bats and avoid strikeouts could complement a team that already emphasizes putting pressure on opposing pitchers.

The main challenge for the Rays would be finding a trade package that satisfies San Francisco. Although Arraez may not command the same return as some of the biggest names available before the deadline, the Giants would still likely expect meaningful value in exchange for one of baseball’s most consistent hitters.