Tarik Skubal traded to Dodgers in blockbuster deal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Tarik Skubal traded to Dodgers in blockbuster deal

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Aug 2, 2026 12:17 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have struck gold once again with a trade deadline deal for Tarik Skubal.

Several reporters confirmed Saturday night that the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers have agreed to a swap that will send Skubal to Los Angeles in exchange for a trio of prospects. The Tigers will receive outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring Tarik Skubal for outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-hander River Ryan and right-hander Brady Smith, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026

An earlier report from Ken Rosenthal claimed that Dodgers starting pitcher Emmett Sheehan was included in the trade. The veteran reporter later clarified that was not the case. ESPN’s Jeff Passan had been adamant over the past week that the Dodgers were the favorites to win the Skubal trade sweepstakes.

With the Dodgers’ pitching staff decimated by injuries this season, the defending champs supplemented their rotation with arguably the best hurler in the game. The Dodgers’ interest in Skubal reportedly grew because of the uncertainty with Shohei Ohtani’s pitching prospects for the rest of the season. He has not pitched since early July due to lingering injuries to his knee and biceps.

Skubal, who is coming off back-to-back Cy Young-winning seasons in Detroit, has looked a little closer to human this season — but not by much. Across 16 starts, Skubal has an ERA of 2.79 and a WHIP of 0.91. But the Tigers have only gone 9-7 this year with Skubal on the mound.

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