The Dodgers are picking up another depth piece for the pitching staff, as they’re acquiring left-hander Kris Bubic from the Royals, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Right-hander Carlos Duran goes to Kansas City in return, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Bubic was on the Royals’ 60-day injured list, so he won’t count against the Dodgers’ 40-man roster until he gets activated.
Bubic has spent his entire seven-year career with the Royals, working a decent 4.14 ERA in 522 innings with a 22.1% strikeout rate and a 45.7% ground ball rate. He’s more or less matched that in limited action this year. The 28-year-old has tossed 50 1/3 frames over nine starts with a 4.11 ERA. Bubic is striking out 24.6% of opponents, a modest increase over last year’s 24.4% mark, though he’s giving up walks a career-high 12.6% of the time. He’s also benefitting from good luck on batted balls. Opponents are hitting .256 on balls in play, well below league average and Bubic’s career .309 mark.
He’s also dealt with his share of injuries. Bubic landed on the IL in May for soreness in his throwing elbow. He attempted a rehab assignment in late June/early July, but that was interrupted by shoulder soreness, which led the Royals to shut him down for ten days. Per the Royals’ official injury report, Bubic is currently in the early stages of a throwing program. After a months-long absence, he’ll need another rehab assignment before returning to pitch in the majors.