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Friedman Reveals Ohtani Knee Status, Dodgers’ Deadline Masterplan
Dodgers Eye Big Trade for Star Pitcher Tarik Skubal While Waiting on Ohtani’s Return
The Big News: Dodgers Calling About Baseball’s Best Pitcher
Imagine your favorite team just found out the best pitcher in the American League might be available for trade. That’s exactly what happened with the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Dodgers boss Andrew Friedman (he’s the president of baseball operations — think of him as the general manager) basically confirmed Wednesday that the team will reach out to the Detroit Tigers to ask about trading for Tarik Skubal.
Important Point: Skubal just won the AL Cy Young Award — that’s the trophy given to the best pitcher in the American League last season. He’s a really big deal.
Why Would the Tigers Trade Their Best Player?
The Tigers have been struggling lately ("on a skid" in baseball talk). When teams fall out of playoff contention, they sometimes become "sellers" — trading away their best players for young talent to build for the future.
The Dodgers are just doing their homework (what Friedman calls "due diligence") by checking the price tag.
Why the Dodgers Can Afford to Be Picky
Friedman explained something important: the Dodgers don’t have to make a desperate trade.
Their Secret Weapon: An Amazing Farm System
ELI5 Definition: A "farm system" is like a team’s minor league academy — where young players develop before reaching the big leagues.
Because the Dodgers’ scouts and player development staff have done such a great job, their farm system is stacked with talented young players. This means:
- They have valuable "currency" to offer in trades
- They can talk to any team about any player
- They don’t need to fill a specific hole right this second
- They can wait for the perfect opportunity ("selective and opportunistic")
Good News: The Pitching Staff Is Healing Up
While they wait on Skubal, the Dodgers’ own pitchers are getting healthier. Here’s the latest injury report:
Activated & Ready
- Edwin Díaz (closer) — back from injury list
Progressing Well
- Tyler Glasnow (starter) — threw 2 innings of live batting practice (facing real hitters)
- Blake Treinen (reliever) — threw 1 simulated inning
- Blake Snell (starter) — making what could be his final rehab start in the minors before returning
Still Out
- Charlie Barnes — designated for assignment (removed from roster)
The Million-Dollar Question: When Does Ohtani Pitch Again?
Shohei Ohtani — the two-way superstar who hits AND pitches — hasn’t pitched since July 3rd. Here’s what’s going on:
Two Separate Issues
| Issue | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Right Knee | Main problem | Got an orthovisc injection (lubricating gel shot) during All-Star break. Pain improved but not gone. |
| Right Biceps | Minor issue | Flaring up during last start. Friedman says: "If it weren’t for the knee, he would be pitching right now." |
The Timeline Keeps Shifting
- Original hope: Return for first rotation turn after All-Star break
- What happened: Threw one bullpen in Philadelphia, then program stalled
- Current status: No clear return date
- Friedman’s confidence: "Relatively soon, he’s going to start getting out and start ramping up for catch play and bullpens"
Ohtani’s Own Words (Translated from Japanese)
"There’s no question it got significantly better… But after talking with the doctors, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the pain to be zero. That may end up being something that has to wait until the offseason."
Performance Drop Shows the Struggle
| Period | Starts | ERA (Lower = Better) |
|---|---|---|
| First 10 starts | 10 | 0.74 |
| Last 4 starts | 4 | 4.38 |
Friedman explains: "It speaks to the knee and the delivery and just the challenge of repeating it over and over and over again."
What This Means for the Trade Deadline
The Dodgers’ Strategy: Patient but Ready
- No "acute need" for starting pitching — they have depth
- Young pitchers have stepped up and earned more time
- But they’re "always open-minded" — if a superstar like Skubal becomes available…
- They have the prospects to make it happen
The Skubal Factor
- Tigers might sell if they keep losing
- Dodgers will check the price
- Friedman won’t handicap the odds ("I’m not in the handicapping business")
- Any deal would cost top prospects — but the Dodgers have them
Summary
- Dodgers inquiring about Tarik Skubal (reigning AL Cy Young winner) from Tigers
- Friedman confirms aggressive history but current luxury to be selective
- Pitching staff recovering nicely — Díaz back, Glasnow/Snell/Treinen progressing
- Ohtani’s return uncertain — knee pain managing, not cured; biceps secondary issue
- No "acute need" for rotation help, but always open to star talent
- Trade deadline approach: Opportunistic, leveraging elite farm system
FAQ
1. Who is Tarik Skubal and why does he matter?
Skubal is a 27-year-old left-handed pitcher who won the 2024 AL Cy Young Award (best pitcher in the American League). He’s under team control through 2026, making him incredibly valuable — a true "ace" in his prime.
2. What’s an "orthovisc injection" Ohtani got in his knee?
It’s a gel-like substance (hyaluronic acid) injected into the knee joint to lubricate and cushion it. Think of it like WD-40 for a squeaky hinge — it helps the joint move smoothly. It’s not surgery, but it’s more serious than a simple cortisone shot.
3. Why can the Dodgers be "selective and opportunistic"?
Their farm system (minor leagues) is loaded with top prospects. Other teams want these young players, so the Dodgers have trade capital. Plus, their current pitchers are returning from injury, so they don’t need to panic-buy.
4. Will Ohtani pitch in the playoffs if the Dodgers make it?
Friedman feels "confident" he’ll return "relatively soon," but there’s no guaranteed date. The team is being extremely careful — they want him right for October, not just July.
5. What would a Skubal trade cost the Dodgers?
A lot. Think: multiple top-100 prospects, possibly including their very best young players. The Tigers have no reason to trade him cheap. But the Dodgers have that kind of prospect depth — which is exactly why they’re in the conversation.
Bottom Line: The Dodgers are the kid in the candy store with a full allowance — they can buy the best candy (Skubal), their current snacks (pitchers) are getting fresh, and they’re willing to wait for the perfect treat. But if the Tigers put Skubal on sale? Expect LA to be first in line.
