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Dodgers Make Trade With Red Sox After Shohei Ohtani News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 3:45 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Diego Padres on Thursday in a heated contest that saw multiple ejections. With both Fernando Tatis and Shohei Ohtani being hit by pitches in the same inning, leading many to believe there was intent behind one or both, this growing rivalry received another exciting chapter.

Despite losing the series finale to San Diego, the Dodgers still sit comfortably atop the National League West division with a 46-30 record. The second-place San Francisco Giants trail Los Angeles by 3.5 games.

LA has done this despite several key injuries, most notably to its pitching staff.

The Dodgers did receive one pitching reinforcement recently, welcoming back Shohei Ohtani to the mound. Ohtani, who underwent right elbow surgery in 2023, had not pitched since that season when he was a member of the Angels.

Limited to just one inning of work in his first start, Ohtani served as an opener for what was essentially a bullpen game for the Dodgers. While he hopes to go longer each start, his spot in the rotation will continue needing a lot of bullpen help.

Amid this development, the Dodgers made a trade with the Red Sox to bring in left-handed reliever Zach Penrod from the Boston Red Sox (via Robert Murray of Fansided).

Source: The Dodgers are acquiring left-hander Zach Penrod in a trade with the Red Sox. Penrod, who posted a 2.25 ERA in seven games last season, was recently designated for assignment.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) June 20, 2025

Penrod was designated for assignment by Boston, but owned a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances last season, showing signs of an arm that could help LA's depleted pitching staff.

Speaking with reporters after his first start, Ohtani said (via MLB.com), "The expectation is for me to go once a week, hopefully to be able to go a little longer every time I'm out there so that the bullpen won't be so taxed."

Following the news that their two-way star will be throwing just once each week, and will likely need to be followed by a bulk of relief innings, the Dodgers added some bullpen help.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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