MLB Rumors: Dodgers' Trade Talks for Pitchers 'Expected to Pick Up' After 2024 Draft

It's been a rough week for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who continue to find themselves in need of help in their starting rotation leading up to the trade deadline on July 30.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Dodgers are currently evaluating trade options and talks with teams are "expected to pick up" after the draft.

Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet has been frequently connected to the Dodgers in trade rumors.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on June 30 that the Dodgers made an offer for Crochet that was "quickly rejected" by the White Sox.

There haven't been any significant deals since Luis Arráez was traded by the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres on May 4.

The Dodgers' series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week was brutal beyond just being outscored 19-5 in a three-game sweep.

Before the series opener on Tuesday, the Dodgers placed Tyler Glasnow on the injured list with tightness in his lower back. Bobby Miller, who allowed nine runs over four innings in Tuesday's game, was demoted to Triple-A the following day after posting an 8.07 ERA in seven starts.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler are also on the IL. Yamamoto could start playing catch soon as he works his way back from a strained rotator cuff. Buehler, who is dealing with hip inflammation, is working out away from the team but has no timetable to return.

One positive sign for the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw will make his first rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. The three-time NL Cy Young winner hasn't pitched this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in November.

While pitching injuries have unfortunately become more common across MLB, they've hit the Dodgers particularly hard every year. They had nine different players start at least nine games last season, with Lance Lynn starting Game 3 of the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks after they lost the first two games of the series.

Trade talks across MLB will almost certainly pick up coming out of the draft and All-Star break next week. The Dodgers are going to be under as much pressure as any organization to make a big move because of how much they have invested in players like Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Despite their pitching injuries, the Dodgers don't appear to have much competition in the NL West. Their 55-39 record is the second-best mark in the NL and seven games ahead of the Padres for the top spot in the division.