Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury actually creates Tarik Skubal nightmare for rest of MLB

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani injury actually creates Tarik Skubal nightmare for rest of MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have mostly been making noise about taking things easy at the upcoming MLB trade deadline.

Shohei Ohtani‘s injury, though, could change all of that. Could it bring Tarik Skubal to Hollywood?

What’s known at this point is that Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch for a while. The Dodgers made that clear on Sunday.

There’s no specific timeline, but they’re clearly being careful with their two-way superstar, who will continue to DH and bat leadoff.

And without Ohtani, the Dodgers may decide it’s worth going to get an ace.

There’s no better pitcher potentially available than Skubal. The Detroit Tigers would have to decide they’re definitely selling, but if they make that determination, it’s going to be hard to beat a package the Dodgers can put together.

In addition to being loaded at the MLB level, they have a special farm system. They can load up in any trade.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who seemed set at the trade deadline, now in the catchers’ market with Will Smith out for another month and perhaps will explore the starting pitching market too with Shohei Ohtani scratched again from his next start with no return date set.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 19, 2026

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The Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series titles, and they’re equipped to three-peat as long as they stay healthy.

The Ohtani injury is a bit of a worry, and the kind of thing that can emphasize the need for a bit more depth.

Why just settle for a depth addition, though? If the Dodgers want to go for Skubal, this could be the nudge they need to really pursue the southpaw ace.

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