Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to be active ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline by acquiring Kris Bubic in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Dodgers are sending back Carlos Duran to the Royals, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The deal comes as a surprise, as the Dodgers have already acquired Tarik Skubal to fill out their rotation. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman didn’t expect any more MLB moves to upgrade their roster, but this feels like exactly the type of opportunistic move they love to make.
Bubic is currently on the 60-day injured list due to left elbow and shoulder soreness, but he began a throwing program in late July and has continued to progress since then. Bubic may not return until September, but he provides the Dodgers with high-end starting pitcher depth and would slot into their postseason plans if he’s healthy.
Bubic had a breakout season in 2025, posting a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP and 1.18 WHIP across 116.1 innings while striking out 24.4% of hitters and walking 8.2%. He was named to the All-Star team; however, his season ended early due to a rotator cuff strain.
He also showed promise in 2024 with a 2.67 ERA, but was limited to just 30.1 innings.
This year, the left-hander has only thrown 50.1 innings and holds a 4.11 ERA and 3.71 FIP.
It’s unlikely he starts for the Dodgers in the postseason given their options, but he is more than capable if they need him to. Regardless, he should find a spot on the roster as one of their best 12 pitching options.
Bubic is set to become a free agent after the season.
Dodgers trade Carlos Duran
The Dodgers have now traded Duran for the second time in as many seasons. Last year, he was traded to the Athletics for Esteury Ruiz, and then he re-signed with the Dodgers in the offseason.
The right-hander made only one appearance at the big league level for the A’s and retired just one of five batters faced, allowing three runs on one hit to go along with three walks.
The Athletics designated Duran for assignment in June 2025, and he went on to spend the rest of the season in Triple-A. During the 2025 season across both organizations, Duran posted a 5.03 ERA over 62.2 innings.
Duran was added to the Dodgers 40-man roster on July 6, but he has yet to make his Dodgers debut.
Duran originally signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2018 and spent parts of six seasons with the organization before going to the A’s.
He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and returned to the mound in 2024, where he posted a 3.71 ERA in 53.1 innings across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A.
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