The Dodgers already acquired one left-handed starting pitcher before the trade deadline in Tarik Skubal. On Monday they added another, though in a different state of readiness. Kris Bubic was acquired from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-hander Carlos Durán.
Bubic had a 4.11 ERA and 4.53 xERA in nine starts this season for the Royals, but he last started on May 14, out since with left elbow soreness. He made three short rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha but was shut down with shoulder
soreness and on July 1 was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
From Anne Rogers at MLB.com in July:
“He wasn’t comfortable pushing through that or pitching today,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Shut him down. … It’s perplexing because he’s had imaging, he’s seen multiple doctors, and there isn’t anything that jumps off the page on the scans. But he’s obviously still feeling something. He’s dealt with injuries before, and his awareness of it is putting up a red flag. It’s concerning that he can’t keep going.”
Bubic last season had a breakout season with a 2.55 ERA and 3.17 xERA in 20 starts, but his All-Star campaign was cut short by a rotator cuff strain in his shoulder.
Durán came up through the Dodgers system before getting traded to the A’s in April 2025 for outfielder Esteury Ruiz. Durán pitched once in the majors for the A’s in 2025 before re-signing with the Dodgers on a minor league deal in December. He was added to the 40-man roster on July 6 but hasn’t yet pitched in the majors this season.
In Triple-A Oklahoma City, Durán this year has a 3.38 ERA in 37 games, with 61 strikeouts and 28 walks in 42 2/3 innings, and two saves.
Bubic will be a free agent at season’s end. He’s making $6.15 million this year, and with 56 days remaining in the season the Dodgers will be responsible for roughly $1,841,711 the rest of the way.
This move opens a 40-man roster spot for the Dodgers, with Bubic on the 60-day injured list and Durán departing.
