It didn’t rock the boat, however the Dodgers are hoping their first pre-trade deadline acquisition Saturday may also help regular the ship down the stretch.
The workforce added veteran right-handed reliever Chris Martin in a cope with the Chicago Cubs, an individual with information of the scenario confirmed, including an skilled arm to a bullpen nonetheless ready to get a number of different key relievers again from accidents.
The commerce was extra practical than flashy.
In 34 video games this yr, the 36-year-old has a 4.31 ERA, but in addition probably the greatest strikeout charges (30.1%) and stroll charges (3%) within the main leagues. He depends totally on a mid-90s mph fastball, however has six complete pitches in his arsenal. He has latest postseason expertise, having been with the Atlanta Braves every of the previous three Octobers.
In return, the Dodgers are sending the Cubs outfielder Zach McKinstry, the little-used left-handed reserve who flashed potential as a rookie initially of final yr however had since slid down the organizational depth chart, making simply two big-league begins this yr.
Whereas the Dodgers have the sixth-best ERA amongst relievers, their bullpen continues to be in unsure form heading into the season’s last months — nonetheless uncertain of precisely whom they could have the ability to depend on come the playoffs.
Proper-handers Blake Trienen (shoulder) and Danny Duffy (flexor tendon) have begun going through hitters once more, however are a number of weeks away from returning to motion.
Proper-hander Tommy Kahnle (forearm) is probably going additional behind them, whereas set-up man Daniel Hudson (torn ACL) has been misplaced for the season.
Brusdar Gratrol (shoulder) has been out virtually three weeks because the workforce continues to watch out along with his restoration.
The Dodgers are going through questions on the nearer position, with veteran Craig Kimbrel persevering with to battle throughout an up-and-down yr.
Evan Phillips, Yency Almonte, Caleb Ferguson and Alex Vesia have all stepped into leverage roles within the meantime.
If Walker Buehler and Dustin Might each come again wholesome earlier than the tip of the season, the Dodgers might have a surplus of beginning pitchers who might assist cowl innings.
With so many unknowns looming down the stretch, the addition of one other dependable — if unspectacular — reliever made sense for the entrance workplace.
Martin match the invoice.
Martin didn’t make his MLB debut till 2014 when he was 27 years outdated. After combating each the Rockies and New York Yankees the subsequent two years, he went abroad to attempt to revive his profession, spending two seasons in Japan with the Nippon-Ham Fighters — the place Angels star Shohei Ohtani was one in every of his teammates.
Martin returned to the most important leagues with the Texas Rangers in 2018, then was traded to the Braves forward of the 2019 deadline.
He had his most profitable season in 2020, posting a 1.00 ERA in 19 regular-season video games and a 2.25 ERA in 9 postseason video games — although he did surrender the deciding run in Sport 7 of the NLCS to the Dodgers on a Cody Bellinger dwelling run.
After posting a 3.95 ERA final yr, Martin signed a one-year, $2.5-million cope with the Cubs this offseason.
His greatest function for the Dodgers, nonetheless, will come within the subsequent three months.
It received’t be probably the most notable trades of this yr’s deadline, however the Dodgers are hoping he can additional solidify their bullpen depth as they give the impression of being to October and the playoffs.
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