Dodgers Trade for All-Star Starting Pitcher Amid Uncertain Injuries

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired All-Star left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic in a trade with the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

In exchange for Bubic, the Dodgers sent right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Duran to the Royals, freeing up a 40-man roster spot.

Bubic is currently on the injured list, and hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since May 14 due to an elbow injury. He began a rehab assignment in June, posting a 10.38 over 4.1 innings pitched in Triple-A, though the Royals shut him down after a setback. He is currently on the 60-day injured list, but is expected to make a return before the end of the year.

Prior to his injury, Bubic had a 4.11 ERA through nine starts in the AL Central, striking out 51 batters in 50.1 innings pitched. Bubic made the All-Star Game in 2025, making 20 starts and posting a 2.55 ERA before a shoulder injury took him out for the rest of the season.

Bubic has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons for the Royals, and has a 4.14 ERA through 126 appearances on the mound.

The southpaw’s arrival could be bad news for the Dodgers, as he is likely insurance for some of their currently injured pitchers. Blake Snell is nearing a return for the Dodgers, but both Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani are showing minimal progress in their injury recoveries.

Bubic is a solid addition, though, and can pick up some slack for both Glasnow and Ohtani if neither pitcher is available come the beginning of the postseason.

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May 14, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic (50) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Duran had spent almost his entire professional career with the Dodgers prior to the trade, with the exception being his stint with the Athletics during 2025. The Dodgers traded him to the A’s in April 2025 for Esteury Ruiz, who made just 19 appearances for the team.

He only pitched once in MLB for the A’s—his only big-league appearance to date—and allowed three runs in 0.1 innings.

The right-hander returned to the Dodgers in the offseason, but spent all of the year in Triple-A. He posted a 3.38 ERA through 37 appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He’ll look to make a return to MLB with his new organization.