What happened: With the trade deadline approaching, the Dodgers are looking at Mariners catcher Mitch Garver, Mets right-hander Clay Holmes and Royals reliever Daniel Lynch VI to address roster gaps. Los Angeles holds the best record in baseball but has absorbed injuries across the roster, including Will Smith, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. Dalton Rushing has taken over behind the plate in Smith's absence but has cooled recently.
Why it matters: The Dodgers' rotation has leaned on Yoshinobu Yamamoto as its only consistent right-hander with Glasnow, Snell, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan all battling injuries or inconsistency, and the bullpen has lost Evan Phillips, Edwin Diaz and Blake Treinen to injury. Holmes, who has a 3.26 ERA across his last 42 appearances with the Mets, and Lynch VI, who leads all Royals relievers in bWAR and fWAR, would add pitching depth for a team trying to hold its AL and NL-best pace into October.
By the numbers: Garver is slashing .184/.311/.316 overall but .229/.351/.333 against left-handed pitching. Rushing has hit .255/.345/.412 versus lefties this season but went 2-for-23 since July 6, while Chuckie Robinson and Eliezer Alfonzo have combined to hit .114 over that stretch. Holmes has a 2.39 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks over 52 2/3 innings this season. Lynch VI carries a 2.13 ERA and 0.921 WHIP with Kansas City.
What to watch: Holmes began a rehab assignment July 18 after a right fibula fracture. Watch for Dodgers roster moves as the deadline nears and for Smith's timeline once he returns from the 60-day IL.