Dodgers Set to Acquire Kris Bubic for Carlos Duran

The league's deadline tracker lists the Los Angeles Dodgers receiving left-hander Kris Bubic, 28, from the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Carlos Duran, 25, on Aug. 3. A source-based deadline report said neither club had announced the deal at publication time.

Reported deal swaps injured Bubic for active Duran

Bubic remains on the 60-day injured list after an interrupted rehabilitation assignment. Duran was listed as active in his MiLB profile after pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Dodgers selected Duran's contract on July 6. At that point, he had made 30 Triple-A appearances, recorded a 3.86 ERA and struck out 50 batters in 35 innings.

By Aug. 3, Duran's line had reached 37 appearances, including two starts, with a 3.38 ERA, 61 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings and a 1.43 WHIP. Dating the two statistical snapshots removes an apparent conflict: the first describes his July 6 promotion, while the second reflects his record at the deadline.

Under the reported deal, Kansas City receives the pitcher available now. Los Angeles would wait for Bubic to complete a throwing progression that has already been interrupted twice, but it would not have to place him on the 40-man roster unless he is activated.

Bubic has not pitched since May

The Royals placed Bubic on the injured list on May 18, retroactive to May 15, with left elbow soreness that was described as more closely related to his forearm. Left shoulder soreness developed after his first rehabilitation start with Triple-A Omaha on June 9.

Bubic resumed the assignment on June 24 with one scoreless inning, then worked two scoreless innings on June 27. He was scheduled for three innings or 45 pitches on July 1, but symptoms returned during his throwing program the previous evening, and he went back to Kansas City for further evaluation.

Speaking after the July 1 setback, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said: "He wasn't comfortable pushing through that or pitching today."

Tests had not revealed a clear cause for the recurring shoulder symptoms. The transfer to the 60-day injured list was procedural and created a 40-man roster spot, but the setback stopped Bubic from making his next rehabilitation start.

The timeline advanced again before the trade. Bubic began a new throwing progression on July 24. By Aug. 3, he was playing catch from at least 80 feet. Kansas City's injury tracker had listed August as the expected return window, but neither club had announced a new rehabilitation assignment or activation date.

Bubic was an All-Star in 2025

Bubic made his first All-Star team in 2025 and finished with a 2.55 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 116 1/3 innings across 20 starts before a left rotator cuff strain ended his season. His player record lists nine starts in 2026, a 3-2 record, a 4.11 ERA, 51 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings and a 1.23 WHIP.

His last Major League appearance came against the Chicago White Sox on May 14. The elbow and forearm soreness appeared after that start, while the shoulder issue surfaced during the subsequent rehabilitation assignment.

Bubic has also succeeded in relief. After returning from Tommy John surgery in 2024, he worked from the Kansas City bullpen and posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 appearances before moving back into the rotation for 2025.

That record gives the Dodgers a documented alternative if the remaining schedule does not allow a full starter's workload. The club has not announced whether Bubic will be prepared as a starter or reliever, and he is eligible for free agency after the season.

Los Angeles had already agreed to acquire Tarik Skubal on Aug. 1 and formally announced that trade on Aug. 2. Skubal is the immediate rotation addition. Bubic would be a separate deadline play whose value depends on health, available ramp-up time and a possible shorter-inning role.

Bubic does not take a 40-man spot yet

The 60-day injured list requires a minimum absence of 60 days and temporarily removes a player from his club's 40-man roster. A team must open a roster spot when that player is ready to return.

Duran occupied a Dodgers 40-man spot from July 6 through Aug. 3. Under the reported deal, Los Angeles would send Kansas City a player with an immediate roster place and receive one whose 40-man decision can wait until activation.

The reported deal delays the roster cost but not the medical risk. The Dodgers could continue Bubic's rehabilitation without using a current 40-man spot, but he cannot provide innings until he advances from playing catch to game work.

That is the specific connection between the injury and the return package. Los Angeles would retain access to a pitcher who performed at an All-Star level in 2025 without making an immediate 40-man commitment. Kansas City would receive the active pitcher and avoid waiting for another Bubic rehabilitation assignment.

Kansas City would receive Carlos Duran

Duran is listed at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds. His 61 strikeouts in 42 2/3 Triple-A innings show his swing-and-miss ability, while the 1.43 WHIP records the baserunners he allowed over the same period.

His Major League record lists one appearance for the Athletics on May 22, 2025, against the Los Angeles Angels. Duran recorded one out and allowed three runs in that debut.

Duran originally signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2018. Los Angeles traded him to the Athletics in April 2025, he elected free agency after that season, and he returned to the Dodgers on a minor-league contract in December.

Kansas City would receive a younger pitcher who is active, has one Major League appearance and missed bats at Triple-A. Los Angeles would receive the more accomplished pitcher, but Bubic must progress from throwing work to a new rehabilitation assignment before he can contribute.

The Dodgers had not announced Bubic's next throwing milestone, rehabilitation assignment, activation date or role as of Aug. 4.