Report: Dodgers pursuing Rays' Archer
With a little over 24 hours to go before Monday's trade deadline the Los Angeles Dodgers are apparently trying for a big splash, as sources have told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the team is pursuing Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.
Moments after the initial report, Rosenthal noted that top Dodgers prospects Alex Verdugo and Cody Bellinger were both pulled from the lineup at Double-A Tulsa. A source told Rosenthal, however, that the timing was coincidental, and it's just a day off for both players.
Archer's most recent start came on Tuesday when he faced the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He acquitted himself well, allowing just one earned run in seven innings while striking out eight and walking none. Though he's struggled to regain his All-Star form of 2015, the 27-year-old is still considered an elite arm by many teams.
In addition to Archer, the Dodgers are also reportedly eyeing Rays left-hander Matt Moore, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Moore has also struggled this season, his first full year since undergoing Tommy John surgery, owning a 4.08 ERA in 21 starts. He also had one of his better starts of the year against the Dodgers earlier this week, throwing 6 2/3 innings while allowing only one unearned run on Wednesday.
The Dodgers are in need of pitching help with ace Clayton Kershaw sidelined indefinitely and a variety of other injuries to their starters.