Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman indicated Wednesday that the team is exploring the possibility of acquiring Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, as the trade deadline approaches. While he stopped short of confirming active negotiations, Friedman acknowledged that the Dodgers routinely engage in talks when star-level players become available.

"There just aren’t that many star-level players in the game," Friedman said, emphasizing the Dodgers' track record of being aggressive in trades involving young talent. He attributed the team’s ability to participate in discussions to the strength of their scouting and player development systems, which have built a deep and flexible farm system.

With the August 3 trade deadline nearing, Friedman declined to speculate on the likelihood of bringing in a major acquisition, noting, “I’m not in the handicapping business.” The Dodgers, holding a strong 68-40 record, are monitoring the market with an opportunistic approach rather than trying to fill specific roster gaps. This strategy is supported by steady improvements in their pitching staff.

On the injury front, the Dodgers activated closer Edwin Díaz before their 4-2 win against the Seattle Mariners. Díaz returned from elbow surgery to earn a save, allowing two hits and one run in his first appearance since late April. Left-hander Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment to clear roster space.

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, dealing with back spasms, threw two innings of live batting practice, while reliever Blake Treinen worked through a simulated inning in his recovery from elbow inflammation. Left-handed pitcher Blake Snell, recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery, logged four innings with only one hit allowed during a rehab assignment at Class-A Ontario, potentially marking his final step before returning to the major league roster.

The timeline for Shohei Ohtani’s return remains uncertain due to a lingering knee injury, though Friedman expressed confidence in the two-way star’s eventual comeback. “I don’t think it puts it in an acute need at all,” Friedman said, stressing that there is no structural damage and the injury continues to improve. He also highlighted the depth and talent of the Dodgers’ pitching staff, which has allowed them to manage injuries without feeling immediate pressure to make moves.

Ohtani’s recovery is complicated by a right biceps injury first acknowledged publicly on July 3. The pitcher has not appeared in a game since then, and his throwing program has faced delays following an orthopedic injection to his knee. Friedman noted that Ohtani would be pitching if not for the knee issue and described his current arm condition as less than 100%, which Friedman said is not uncommon for pitchers late in the season.

Ohtani himself has tempered expectations, stating that while the injection has improved his condition, completely pain-free movement may not be realistic until the offseason. His performance has been inconsistent amid his injury challenges, reflected in a 4.38 ERA over his last four starts compared to a 0.74 ERA in his first 10.

Regarding the Skubal trade scenario, Friedman acknowledged Detroit’s precarious position in the wild-card race could motivate them to sell, but the Dodgers maintain a “thoughtful and careful” approach to any potential additions. He dismissed the idea of acquiring a player solely to prevent a rival’s strengthening, emphasizing the complexity of trade negotiations.

With the deadline just days away, Friedman remained optimistic about the team’s current makeup and cohesion, suggesting that any moves will be made with an eye toward sustaining the Dodgers’ competitive dynamic.