Tarik Skubal looking to fit in as he prepares for his first start with the Dodgers

CHICAGO (AP) — Tarik Skubal wants to be “a chameleon in a sense” with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Blending in is normally quite difficult for a player with two Cy Young Awards, but Los Angeles isn't exactly a normal team.

Skubal is learning his way around the loaded Dodgers after he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Detroit on Saturday night. The left-hander will make his first start for the two-time defending World Series champions on Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

“The entire focus of this organization is on winning championships, and that’s my entire focus of playing baseball,” Skubal said Monday, “so we’re very much aligned and I’m ready to go out there and compete and give this organization and city everything that I’ve got.”

Skubal joins a rotation that also includes All-Stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski, to go along with Roki Sasaki and Eric Lauer. Shohei Ohtani is slated to play catch this week as he continues his recovery from left knee soreness and a right biceps injury. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow also are working their way back from injuries.

Los Angeles acquired Kris Bubic in a trade with Kansas City in the runup to Monday's deadline, but the lefty is on the 60-day injured list with shoulder and elbow issues.

Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City before the Dodgers' series opener against the Cubs. The 26-year-old right-hander was 1-7 with a 5.98 ERA in his last 10 starts.

“I think for everyone, I think it’s the right thing to do,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to give him a chance to reset.”

Los Angeles also placed catcher Dalton Rushing on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Catcher Chuckie Robinson and right-hander Jonathan Hernández were brought up from the minors, and right-hander Wyatt Mills was designated for assignment.

“Dalton said that he’s had bouts of this in the past,” Roberts said. “So I guess it’s a good thing that he has kind of dealt with it. But I don’t think anyone knows how long it’s going to be."

The Dodgers reacquired catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia in a pair of trades on Monday, and Roberts said Rortvedt is expected to join the team on Tuesday.

With top catcher Will Smith also on the IL with a neck issue, depth behind the plate is a potential concern for the NL West leaders. But they sure look as if they are primed to make a run at another championship, especially with Skubal in the fold.

“It’s always nice writing a starting pitcher in your lineup like that,” a smiling Roberts said.

The 29-year-old Skubal pitched 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball against Baltimore in his final start for Detroit on Wednesday. The Tigers blew a 7-0 lead on their way to a 10-9 loss to the Orioles in 12 innings.

The acquisition of Skubal reinforces the Dodgers' status as the majors' most imposing franchise and public enemy No. 1 for fans of other teams.

“Every team could trade for me, you know. Every team could make that acquisition,” Skubal said, “and I don't really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they’ve done. They’ve developed a really good organization. They draft well, they acquire talent really well, retain talent. It’s a winning organization.”

Skubal is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings this year. He also has performed well in the postseason, going 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six playoff starts over the past two years.

Skubal is eligible for free agency after this season, and the trade gives the Dodgers an opportunity to begin making their case for a long-term deal. But he stayed away from any free agency talk on Monday, keeping the focus on helping his new team right now.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the big piece,” he said. “They’ve been a pretty good baseball team without me. So I’m just going to try and show up and kind of be a chameleon in a sense and fit right into these guys and just, you know, gel with them. They’ve got the winning recipe. They understand what it takes to win.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal walks to the dugout after warming up before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal, right, runs in the outfield before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal runs in the outfield before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal, right, waves to fans before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

CHICAGO (AP) — For the Chicago Cubs, the trade deadline was all about pitching. The rotation, and the bullpen.

Chicago acquired right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the last-place New York Mets on Monday for touted infield prospect Jefferson Rojas. The Cubs also added reliever Ryan Zeferjahn and left-hander Braxton Garrett in two other deals ahead of Monday's deadline.

Those moves were completed one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by landing Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“In some ways we were as focused as I can remember in a deadline,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “It was very clear we needed to add pitching.”

The Cubs weathered a series of pitching injuries on their way to a 63-49 record and the top spot in the NL wild-card standings going into Monday night's matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They also trailed NL Central-leading Milwaukee by 6 1/2 games.

Led by All-Star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs' group of position players has been in place for most of the season. But Hoyer wanted to make sure the pitching staff was equipped for the rest of the season and a possible postseason run.

“I think we’re more talented than we were 48 hours ago,” he said. “Like I said, I think these guys have battled and they’ve done a really good job. We’ve used so many different guys. I think our coaching staff has done a terrific job with them as well. But certainly I think providing more talent and more depth was something that was critical.”

Some of Chicago's injured pitchers are nearing a return. Right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring/abductor) and hard-throwing reliever Daniel Palencia (flexor strain) are scheduled for rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Hoby Milner (appendicitis) is expected to pitch for Iowa on Tuesday.

The Cubs got Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers: catcher Moisés Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire — son of retired slugger Mark McGwire. Garrett was acquired in a deal with the Miami Marlins for minor leaguer infielder Jonathon Long and right-hander Jace Beck.

The 28-year-old Zeferjahn is 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA and four saves in 45 games this season. The right-hander has 75 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings.

“I think he’s getting better,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “I think it’s an improving player.”

Garrett was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Garrett, who turns 29 on Wednesday, had a 3.66 ERA in 159 2/3 innings with Miami in 2023.

“We’re going to need depth. We’re going to need innings,” Hoyer said. “He’s likely to provide that here. But there’s also a future play as well. Like I said, we always thought highly of him.”

Holmes appears just about ready to return from a broken right leg that has sidelined him since mid-May. He was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before getting hurt.

The 33-year-old right-hander has a $12 million player option for 2027 that he's expected to decline in order to become a free agent again. He was an All-Star reliever with the New York Yankees before signing with the Mets ahead of the 2025 season and successfully converting to a starting role.

Holmes fractured his right fibula May 15 when he was hit by a low line drive while pitching against the Yankees. He made his third minor league rehab start Sunday, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings for Class A Brooklyn.

Hoyer said the team plans to meet with Holmes before a decision is made about his next step.

“I think we love the fit from a shape standpoint,” Hoyer said. “I mean he’s a fantastic groundball guy, doesn’t give up home runs. I think putting that kind of guy in front of this defense makes a ton of sense for us.”

Holmes went 16-12 with a 3.26 ERA in 40 starts and two relief appearances for the Mets overall.

Taylor, 32, batted .241 with 10 homers, 28 RBIs and a .794 OPS in 67 games for New York this season. The reserve outfielder, better known for excellent defense, has been on a remarkable tear at the plate since returning June 26 from a strained right hip. He can become a free agent after the World Series as well.

Chicago also acquired pitcher David Peterson from the Mets for minor league infielder Cole Mathis in late June.

The 21-year-old Rojas was hitting .270 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and an .800 OPS in 91 games at Double-A Knoxville this season. He was the second-ranked prospect in Chicago's system and No. 63 overall in baseball, according to mlb.com.

AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.

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New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor hits a three-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, July 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)