New Dodgers Rumors on 'Increased' Tarik Skubal Trade Interest Amid Shohei Ohtani's Biceps Injury - Bleacher Report

What the report says

Bleacher Report, citing MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers’ interest in Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has grown as uncertainty continues around Shohei Ohtani’s ability to pitch. The report, published July 29, 2026, comes ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline, with Skubal described as the most prominent pitcher potentially available.

The Dodgers’ pitching questions are tied to Ohtani’s health. Bleacher Report cited ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez in noting that Ohtani was scratched from his first post-All-Star break start on July 22 after ongoing left knee discomfort. He completed a 30-pitch bullpen session that day, but a later session was postponed. Ohtani later told reporters that his knee was improving, while his right biceps remained a concern.

Gonzalez also reported that rival executives continue to see Los Angeles as the favorite to acquire Skubal. The Tigers left-hander is identified in the article as the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner and as being in the final year of his contract. Bleacher Report noted that he recently became the fastest pitcher to reach 1,000 career strikeouts during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

A Skubal trade would be significant because it could reshape the Dodgers’ rotation at a time when Ohtani’s mound availability is unclear. More broadly, deadline moves for elite starting pitchers can carry major postseason implications, especially for clubs with championship expectations. The report does not say that a deal is close, only that Los Angeles’ interest has reportedly increased.