The Dodgers have hit a critical point in their season. With 13 pitchers on the injured list, including key starters like Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles has used an MLB-high 33 pitchers this year. Their rotation has been stretched thin, and with the July 30 trade deadline approaching, rumors are swirling that the reigning World Series champions could eye a veteran.
Tampa Bay’s right-hander Zack Littell has drawn attention as a cost-effective candidate. He has posted a respectable 3.78 ERA over 97 2/3 innings, with an impressive 1.1 walks per nine innings, he leads the majors in that category, and a career-low 1.12 WHIP.
The Dodgers need pitchers, especially in the playoffs. Littell will be a good fit for the team, and MLB insider Mark Feinsand strongly believes he could be the one.
The Dodgers were linked to a starting pitcher as a potential trade deadline fit👀⬇️https://t.co/nY8NgJzPq9
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 24, 2025
There are concerns, of course. Littell has already given away 22 home runs and carries a 5.32 FIP. But with a modest salary of $5.72 million, he presents a low-cost, high-upside option for a team needing reliable innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers Are Weighing Their Options
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto carrying the rotation and Shohei Ohtani only recently beginning light pitching work, the team is thin at the top. Manager Dave Roberts has been forced to rely on bullpen games and fringe starters far too often.
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President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has hinted the Dodgers could wait for injured arms to return, but he also left the door open to making a move if the right opportunity presents itself.
“I’m still optimistic,” Friedman said. “It requires guys coming back on or close to the timelines that we have penciled out. We have shown that, if we’re not in position to do that, we’ll be aggressive to add. But our strong desire is not to.”
Littell may be that opportunity. He is affordable, experienced, and capable of logging quality innings down the stretch. The Dodgers can really use an extra hand on their starting rotation.
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