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Dodgers acquire Royals left-hander Kris Bubic in intriguing deadline trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added another potentially valuable arm to their pitching staff, although their latest acquisition comes with considerable uncertainty.
Los Angeles is acquiring left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The players heading to Kansas City were not immediately reported. Bubic is currently on the 60-day injured list after dealing with elbow soreness and a subsequent shoulder setback. He recently began a throwing progression, but there is no firm timetable for his return to a major league mound.
That makes this an intriguing deadline gamble for the Dodgers. Bubic went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over nine starts for Kansas City this season. He recorded 51 strikeouts across 50 1/3 innings before injuries interrupted his year. The 28-year-old is not necessarily an immediate solution for Los Angeles. If he can get healthy, however, he could provide the Dodgers with another experienced starting option for the stretch run and potentially the postseason.
Kris Bubic trade comes with significant injury questions
Bubic last pitched for Kansas City on May 14, when he allowed five earned runs over four innings against the Chicago White Sox. He was initially sidelined by an elbow issue before later experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. Bubic began a throwing progression in late July, making 30 throws from distances between 45 and 60 feet.
That represents an encouraging first step, but there is still a long road between playing catch and returning to a major league rotation. Bubic would need to continue increasing his throwing distance, advance to bullpen sessions, face hitters and likely complete a rehabilitation assignment before the Dodgers could consider activating him.
Los Angeles clearly believes the potential reward is worth the uncertainty. Bubic has demonstrated the ability to miss bats and handle a starting workload when healthy. He owns a 4.14 ERA with 495 strikeouts across 522 career innings, making 89 starts and 37 relief appearances since reaching the majors in 2020.
His best work came during an All-Star 2025 season that ended early because of an injury. That performance offered evidence that Bubic could be more than a back-end starter when everything is working.
The Dodgers are betting their pitching development staff and medical department can help him return to that level.
MORE: Brewers acquire Guardians catcher Bo Naylor in deadline trade
Dodgers add another high-upside pitching project
Few organizations have been more willing than the Dodgers to acquire talented pitchers carrying injury concerns. Bubic fits that familiar approach.
Los Angeles entered Monday with a 69-43 record and a 10-game lead in the NL West. The Dodgers remain one of the strongest World Series contenders, but their recent three-game losing streak and continuing pitching concerns gave the front office reason to remain aggressive. The Dodgers do not need Bubic to carry their rotation. They need him to get healthy and become another possible option.
If Bubic returns as a starter, he could help Los Angeles manage innings during the final weeks of the regular season. If there is not enough time to build him back up for a traditional starting role, the Dodgers could potentially explore using him out of the bullpen. His left-handed delivery would give manager Dave Roberts another way to attack opposing lineups, particularly during a postseason series.
Nothing is guaranteed, however. The severity of Bubic’s elbow and shoulder problems makes it possible that his contribution will be limited or delayed beyond the regular season.
That risk will be easier to evaluate once the complete trade return becomes known.
Royals turn injured starter into future value
Kansas City entered Monday with a 46-67 record, leaving the organization with little reason to rush Bubic back for the final two months of the season. Trading him allows the Royals to acquire future value for a pitcher who may not have contributed again in 2026.
Bubic is also under team control beyond this season. He is earning $3 million in 2026 and has another year of arbitration eligibility before becoming eligible for free agency after the 2027 campaign. That additional season of control makes him more than a short-term rental for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers can afford to be patient with his recovery while evaluating how he might fit into their 2027 pitching plans. If Bubic returns to his previous form, Los Angeles could have a useful rotation piece at a manageable cost. For the moment, the deal is best viewed as a calculated bet rather than a guaranteed deadline victory.
Bubic’s health will determine whether he becomes an important part of the Dodgers’ postseason plans, a depth option for next season or an acquisition that never makes the desired impact. The upside is clear. Los Angeles has acquired a 28-year-old left-hander with starting experience, swing-and-miss ability and another season of club control.
Now the Dodgers must help him get back on the mound.
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