Dodgers GM Says Injuries Don’t Change LA’s Trade Deadline Plans

The Los Angeles Dodgers saw two of their best players exit games early over the weekend due to injury. Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was pulled after just two innings from Saturday’s start against the Kansas City Royals due to triceps tightness. It was later revealed he had a strained rotator cuff and was heading to the injured list.

One day later, seven-time All-Star Mookie Betts was struck by a 98 mph fastball that fractured his hand. Betts has also been placed on the IL, and will be missing six to eight weeks, per manager Dave Roberts.

With these two major injuries, it would not be surprising to see the Dodgers’ plans at the trade deadline dramatically change. However, general manager Brandon Gomes doesn’t appear to feel that way.

“I actually don’t think it meaningfully changes anything at this point,” Gomes said to The LA Times, with one caveat: “With the expectation that those guys are gonna be back for the postseason.”

So long as Yamamoto and Betts are on pace to be back for the playoffs — which at this point, they are — Gomes seems content not altering their trade plans. After all, it would take a lot for the Dodgers to not make the playoffs with where they stand right now and the lack of competition from the National League West. With a playoff berth relatively secure so long as the team doesn’t melt down, preparing for the playoffs is ultimately the most important goal for the team seeking another World Series.

So what do the Dodgers’ trade deadline plans look like right now?

“It’s continuing to evaluate where we are in the division and what it looks like as far as just accumulating wins,” Gomes said to the LA Times.

So for now, status quo.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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