The Los Angeles Dodgers made quite the splash moments before the 1 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline as they acquired Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers in exchange for prospects A.J. Alexy, Willie Calhoun and Brendon Davis.
Darvish was long believed to be a primary target for the Dodgers but whether a trade would be consummated remained in doubt. The Rangers initially insisted on Walker Buehler or Alex Verdugo being included in their return, but also were said to have not fully committed to trading their ace at the deadline.
Darvish was scheduled to start Monday night for the Rangers. That of course never manifested, and he’s now slated for a Dodgers debut on Thursday in the series opener against the New York Mets, according to David Vassegh of AM 50 L.A. Sports Radio:
Yu Darvish will throw a bullpen session tomorrow and make his #Dodger debut on Friday vs #Mets
Rich Hill will pitch Saturday. #YuMania— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 1, 2017
Darvish’s lone start at Citi Field came in 2014. He allowed four runs on five hits (one home run), walked two and recorded six strikeouts in five innings without factoring into the decision.
Darvish went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA, 3.98 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in 22 starts for the Rangers this season. He’s struggled in multiple outings during July, going 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA in five starts.
Darvish’s final start with the Rangers was particularly rough, as he allowed a career-worst 10 earned runs in just 3.2 innings. It’s believed the Miami Marlins may have capitalized on pitches being tipped.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said the club is not concerned by some of Darvish’s recent struggles, citing the thorough scouting that was completed on the soon-to-be-31-year-old.
In acquiring Darvish, the Dodgers simultaneously further padded their margin for error while Clayton Kershaw remains on the disabled list and put themselves in stronger position come the postseason.
