Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Trade, Machado, Buehler, Kershaw

The Dodgers finished out their three-game sweep of the Pirates on the Fourth of July. The series was won in a lopsided manner with the Dodgers outscoring the Bucs 31 to eight. Rich Hill got his first win since April first and the Dodgers finished the series just a half game out of first place in the NL West. Here is the rest of the news from a very busy day.

The Dodgers made their first trade of July on Wednesday when the sent minor league pitchers, James Marinan and Aneurys Zabala to the Reds for a pair of former Dodgers in Dylan Floro and Zach Neal. The Dodgers also received international signing bonus pool space. The trade was a bit of a surprise as the team shipped off a promising young righty in Marinan for two pitchers, one of whom is not even in the major leagues. Floro has played in The Show for the Reds and he has been pretty good in his role as a reliever posting a 2.72 ERA, a 151 ERA+, and a 3.33 FIP. Of slight concern with Floro is his low K9 rate at just 6.7 and his WHIP of 1.404. The 27-year old righty is, however, under team control until 2024. Floro is expected to join the Dodgers in Anaheim for the Freeway Series.

More from Dodgers Way

• Kevin Kiermaier being ‘top target’ to replace Cody Bellinger is bad sign for Dodgers
• Are the Dodgers really prepared to hand Shohei Ohtani a blank check?
• Dodgers fans shouldn’t dismiss interest in Dansby Swanson for this reason
• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers

Other notes…

• The Manny Machado to Los Angeles rumors continued to trickle out information on Wednesday, this time with some insight as to who the Orioles may be eyeing in a potential return. The O’s have been heavily scouting 20-year old right-hander, Dustin May who is currently in High-A. May has been an impressive prospect in first two seasons with the Dodgers. The former third-round pick ranked 69th overall in Baseball Prospectus’ preseason prospect rankings and he has done what he needed to do to prove that he deserves that spot. In 2018, May has posted a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings and 12 starts. While he would not be the only prospect in a Machado trade, the idea that he could be involved can help shape guesses as to what a package may look like for a deal.

• Dave Roberts was telling media members that Walker Buehler will make another rehab start via a simulated game in Anaheim prior to Sunday’s game before rejoining the big league team. Roberts said that Buehler felt good during his outing and more importantly, he felt healthy after the game and the following morning. His first rehab start lasted three innings where he struck out five batters and had his velocity sit in the 95-96 mph zone. There is still room for improvement on the velocity but the overall result both statistically and in terms of pain are very promising.

Next: Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Muncy, Offense, Trades, Kershaw

• Clayton Kershaw felt good during his start on Tuesday against the Pirates and Dave Roberts backed up that fact on Wednesday. Roberts told the media that Kershaw will pitch next Monday and is doing well in terms of health.