Dodgers add more pitching depth by acquiring Kris Bubic from Royals

There is an adage in baseball that one can never have too much pitching. The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be taking that to heart.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Dodgers are acquiring pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals. In exchange, the Royals received 25-year-old minor league swingman Carlos Duran.

Bubic has spent most of the season on the Injured List, making nine appearances before being sidelined with soreness in his left elbow. His rehab was paused in July due to shoulder soreness. While he was unable to replicate his All-Star showing in 2025, he posted a respectable 4.11 ERA and a 1.232 WHiP over his 50.1 innings, striking out 51 batters with 26 walks. Jack Harris of the California Post reported that Bubic is expected to return by late August.

Los Angeles Dodgers add needed depth to rotation with plenty of health concerns

In exchange, the Royals get an interesting pitcher in Duran. He had originally signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent before they traded him to the A's for outfielder Estuary Ruiz. He returned to the Dodgers as a minor league free agent during the 2025-26 offseason. Duran has a fastball that can hit the upper 90s and a plus slider, although he struggles to command his arsenal. He made his major league debut with the A's in 2025, recording one out while allowing three runs on one hit and three walks. 

The Dodgers currently have pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell on the IL while Shohei Ohtani has been limited to the designated hitter role due to ongoing knee issues. While the Dodgers have Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to headline the rotation with All-Star Justin Wrobleski as a third starter, there are question marks elsewhere. Bubic, if healthy, provides the Dodgers insurance in case of additional injuries or could slot into the bullpen as another lefty reliever.