The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic at the trade deadline, and he finally made his first appearance within the organization on Tuesday. Bubic, 29, came to the Dodgers on the 60-day injured list from the Kansas City Royals, who received reliever Carlos Duran in exchange for the All-Star. He suffered a flexor strain and shoulder impingement, and the Royals Shut him down after three appearances on his first rehab assignment with the Royals during which he allowed six runs through 4.1 innings pitched.
He spent a month recovering with the Dodgers, but they sent him out for his first rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Bubic put together a strong inning of work, striking out two batters in a flawless inning in just 17 pitches. Bubic could be a huge addition for the Dodgers, and had a decent start to the season before his injury caught up with him.
He had a 3.32 ERA through his first seven starts of the season, but allowed three runs through 5.2 innings and five runs through 4.0 innings in his final two starts before landing on the injured list. The left-hander is just one season removed from making his first All-Star Game in 2025, when he had the best season of his career to date. He only made 20 starts, struggling with injury in the back half of the season, but posted a career-best 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 116.1 innings pitched.
If the southpaw can rediscover that form at the end of the season for LA, he could be a valuable weapon come October. While Bubic has made his name as a starter over the past couple of seasons, he has plenty of experience in the bullpen. He had a 2.67 ERA in 2024, coming exclusively out of the bullpen for the Royals across 27 appearances.
He also only came out of the bullpen that postseason, sporting a 1.93 ERA through 4.2 innings pitched. Bubic said he would embrace the same role in August, but also noted he would look to get some volume under his belt during his rehab assignment. So I’m open to doing that again," Bubic said.
I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.” Whatever role the Dodgers plan to use Bubic in, the southpaw's addition is sure to make an impact throughout the remainder of the season.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
