The Dodgers may be looking to make a trade in order to replace their ace.
Clayton Kershaw is out indefinitely with lower-back pain and could be facing surgery to repair the injury. With Los Angeles very much in the mix for a playoff spot, the club is reportedly looking to make a deal to improve its rotation.
Replacing Kershaw won't be easy. The left-hander is 11-2 this season and leads the MLB with a 1.72 ERA, while ranking fifth in the majors with 145 strikeouts.
The Dodgers are reportedly looking to make many additions and one name that has been discussed is Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer, who is on L.A.'s trade radar, according to MLB.com.
The site also reports that a rival executive said the Dodgers are also "big game hunting" for impact players ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. There have also been rumors that outfielder Yasiel Puig could be on the move soon.
Trade talks between the Dodgers and Rays have been ongoing, but the players being discussed haven't been confirmed. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman served as the general manager of the Rays for almost 10 years, so he has ties to the organization..
Archer, 27, has struggled this season, pitching to a 5-13 record with a 4.60 ERA for the lowly Rays. The right-hander is 37-45 in his five seasons with a 3.56 ERA and 709 strikeouts.
Los Angeles has dealt with myriad injuries as Kershaw (back) is the latest pitcher on the disabled list, joining Brett Anderson (back), Hyun-Jin Ryu (elbow) and Alex Wood (elbow). Outfielders Andre Ethier (fractured tibia), Trayce Thompson (lower-back) and Enrique Hernandez (ribs) are also on the disabled list for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers (53-43) enter Thursday trailing the Giants (57-38) by by 4.5 games in the NL West and own a one-game lead over the Marlins (51-43) for the top Wild Card spot in the NL.
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