Nov 9, 2026, 10:18 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs' priority this offseason is starting pitching, but The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma writes that it is unlikely that the Cubs will enter a bidding war for two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Cubs were aggressive in adding third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal last offseason, but they have shied away from the very top of the free-agent market in recent offseasons. Chicago has "shown no interest" in spending like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, and it will not be an exception this winter, when labor negotiations will muddy the waters for teams and their finances. The Cubs will, however, check in on other pitches, as they have just one pitcher with legitimate starting experience on their roster who is set to enter 2027 healthy. The goal for the Cubs is likely to bring in three starting pitchers. After their starters allowed the third-most home runs (142) in 2026, the Cubs will target pitchers with high ground-ball rates and/or a high strikeout rate. This means they will most likely attempt to bring back right-hander Clay Holmes, who led baseball with a 60.7% ground-ball rate. Two other potential free-agent fits could be Freddy Peralta and Michael King. For Skubal, it is going to take a large sum of money to secure his services long-term, and the Dodgers and Mets will be the front-runners.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma

Nov 2, 2026, 8:43 PM ET

Left-hander Tarik Skubal is far and away the best player in this year's free-agent class, and the expectation is that he will sign before the Dec. 1 lockout. ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that the Chicago Cubs "badly" want Skubal, but they are also skeptical that they will be willing to compete at the sort of dollars Skubal is expected to get -- well in excess of $300 million, and potentially in the $400 million range. The two most obvious suitors are the two teams with the highest payrolls in the game: the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. The San Diego Padres, who could lose both starting pitchers Michael King and Nick Pivetta, could be a darkhorse candidate to consider. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez gets the sense that Skubal would "love" to return to the Dodgers after enjoying the culture in Hollywood. Skubal became "best buddies" with fellow lefty Blake Snell and "seemed to fit in seamlessly." Despite having arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in 2026, Skubal did not miss a beat as one of the best all-around starting pitchers in the game, going a combined 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings over 26 starts with L.A. and the Detroit Tigers. Regardless of where he lands in free agency, Skubal will be a top-tier, elite fantasy SP1.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Oct 21, 2026, 9:46 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the team's end-of-year press conference on Wednesday that surgery is not on the table for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) and that he "fully expects" Ohtani to pitch next year, according to Katie Wood of The Athletic. Ohtani was not healthy in the second half of the season while battling through knee and biceps injuries, and he did not make a single start as a pitcher for the Dodgers after July 3. The four-time MVP was still productive, but he was not his usual self at the plate after the All-Star break, hitting .245/.325/.447 with eight home runs in the second half. The 32-year-old Japanese veteran then hit just .192 (5-for-26) with a homer, three RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in eight playoff games. It should be music to Dodgers fans' ears that Ohtani will continue to be a two-way player again in 2027, and if he is at full health, he should be a must-start as both a hitter and pitcher in his 10th year in the big leagues. Overall in 2026, Ohtani hit 30 home runs, drove in 81 runs, scored 89 runs, and stole 11 bases in 135 regular-season games. He was lights-out on the mound in 14 starts before being shut down in the second half, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 innings pitched.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo

Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Knee and biceps injuries kept Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani off the mound over the final three months this year, but he said he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. The 32-year-old also slumped badly at the plate late in the season, so badly that the Dodgers considered benching the four-time MVP for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is unclear if Ohtani will have an offseason procedure. Ohtani was in the NL Cy Young picture in the first half of the season and had a 1.79 ERA while limiting hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings. But he started dealing with pain in his left knee on June 11 and last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Over his final four starts, he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Before that, he gave up only five earned runs in 61 innings. Ohtani landed on the injured list in September, his first trip to the IL in almost three years. Depending on any offseason procedures that he has, Ohtani should be extremely attractive as both a hitter and pitcher in fantasy again in 2027.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy

Oct 15, 2026, 11:46 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell cruised through the first six innings of his start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, allowing just two hits and one earned run while recording nine strikeouts. However, with his team holding a narrow 2-1 lead, Snell allowed two key home runs in the seventh inning that turned the Dodgers' lead into a 4-2 deficit. Injuries limited Snell to just 42 2/3 innings (nine starts) during the regular season, over which he logged a 1.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts. Across two starts (9 2/3 innings) in the playoffs, Snell has now allowed seven hits, seven walks, and five earned runs while striking out 14. If the Dodgers are able to mount a comeback in the NLCS, Snell could be in line to start a potential Game 7 on Monday.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Oct 13, 2026, 1:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not have the kind of start that the Dodgers needed from him in the Game 2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in the National League Championship Series. Yamamoto surrendered three earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out only one in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a no-decision. It was one of the Japanese hurler's worst showings in his postseason career, especially after he threw a seven-inning gem with one walk, one run allowed, and 10 strikeouts in the Game 3 win over the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series on Oct. 6. Yamamoto did not have his swing-and-miss stuff working in this one, which was the shortest playoff outing of his career. He could certainly bounce back if the Dodgers extend the series, but they will certainly have to win Game 3 of the NLCS back in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Yamamoto now has a 2.47 career ERA in the playoffs with 59 strikeouts and 15 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched in 12 outings (11 starts) for the Dodgers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 12, 2026, 11:36 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was handed the loss in his team's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday. The star left-hander allowed five hits, two walks, and two earned runs while recording seven strikeouts across five innings of work. While Skubal was not able to pitch his team to a victory on Sunday, the 29-year-old has been rock solid to open the postseason for Los Angeles. Across two starts (11 innings), Skubal has posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. His next chance to make an impact in the NLCS will likely be in Game 5 next Friday, although he could potentially be available on three days' rest for Game 4 on Thursday if the Dodgers are desperate.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Oct 9, 2026, 8:17 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers will start left-hander Tarik Skubal in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Blue in Game 2 in Milwaukee. Skubal will likely be opposed by flamethrowing right-hander Jacob Misiorowski. He was as advertised in his first playoff start for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, allowing only one earned run on two hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out seven in six innings to pick up the win. Skubal has been lights-out in seven career postseason starts, posting a 1.97 ERA (2.18 FIP) with 10 earned runs allowed, eight walks, and 63 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings pitched. The 29-year-old southpaw and two-time Cy Young winner faced the Brew Crew twice in 2026 during the regular season, allowing six runs (five earned) on 14 hits while walking two and striking out 12 in 12 innings pitched. Skubal will have his work cut out for him.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris

Oct 6, 2026, 10:22 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the star of his team's 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run while recording 10 strikeouts across seven innings of work. Yamamoto was dominant during the regular season, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.53 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 182 strikeouts across 185 innings (28 starts). He's also been remarkably effective in the postseason to this point in his career, logging an 8-1 record with a 2.14 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts across 63 innings. Following Yamamoto's gem, the Dodgers will have a chance to close out Atlanta in Game 4 and advance to the National League Championship Series on Wednesday.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Oct 3, 2026, 9:09 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal picked up his first win of the postseason on Saturday in his team's 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The 29-year-old allowed just one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings of work. Skubal was excellent in the regular season after being acquired by the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers at this summer's trade deadline, recording a 5-2 record with a 2.61 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts across 62 innings (10 starts). The hard-throwing lefty also has an impressive resume in the postseason, allowing just 10 earned runs while logging 63 strikeouts across 45 2/3 career playoff innings (seven starts). Skubal's next scheduled start will be in Game 5 of the NLDS, if the series goes that far.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com

Oct 3, 2026, 10:28 AM ET

Trade deadline acquisition Tarik Skubal will get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves today in L.A. Skubal, who was traded over to the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, will be the starter in the first playoff game for the Dodgers this postseason. In 10 starts since coming over to Los Angeles this season, the left-handed ace is 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. Skubal will get the nod in Game 1 and lead the postseason effort for the Dodgers. It doesn't come as much of a surprise. This is what the Dodgers made their trade for and gave up their quality prospects for. Skubal faces a good Braves lineup that can really hit with the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson to name just a few. Look for Skubal to turn in a quality outing to get his postseason efforts underway with the Dodgers.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: The Athletic

Sep 25, 2026, 1:27 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Christian Zazueta combined between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa to have a stellar age-21 minor-league season in 2026. Zazueta's overall numbers ended up very good, with a combined 6-4 record, 3.65 ERA, and 0.97 WHIP with 144 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-3 right-hander limited opposing batters to a .214 batting average. He is the No. 5 prospect in the Dodgers' system with a 60-grade fastball and changeup combination with a 50-grade secondary pitch in his slider. Zazueta shows very good control and looks to have all the tools to be a future fantasy-relevant pitcher. It could be a few years before Zazueta makes his MLB debut, but he looks like a great dynasty-league addition in the near term.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Sep 22, 2026, 10:22 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (groin) is scheduled to start against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell exited early from his most recent start on September 16 due to a groin issue. However, it appears that Snell will be able to make one final start before the postseason. It's been a lost season due to injury for the 33-year-old, who has missed time due to elbow and shoulder troubles. Still, Snell has been effective when healthy, recording a 4-1 record with a 1.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts across 38 2/3 innings (eight starts). Fantasy managers may be able to get one more solid outing from Snell on Saturday, but the Dodgers also have little incentive to push his pitch count deep into the game.--Will Brady
Source: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh

Sep 22, 2026, 7:50 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday, as had been the hope, manager Dave Roberts told Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ohtani is getting ready to return from a stay on the IL that lasted for several weeks. The four-time MVP has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3 against the Padres, and he is not expected to be an option on the mound for the Dodgers at all the rest of the regular season or postseason. But Roberts expects Ohtani to be ready to return on Wednesday against San Diego as the team's primary designated hitter. They will want the 32-year-old Japanese superstar to get some live at-bats going into the final weekend of the regular season before the playoffs begin in October. Ohtani's two-way status has taken a toll on him physically in 2026, although he still has hit a strong .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 89 runs scored in 130 games. While he probably will not win a fourth straight MVP award, Ohtani can definitely still help the Dodgers win an unprecedented third straight World Series title if he is past his knee and biceps injuries that have bothered him for around half the season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen