Dodgers Rumors: MLB Insider Bob Nightengale Provides Two Massive Dodgers Rumors in Latest Article
PHOENIX— While the Los Angeles Dodgers look to split a massive series against their National League West division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, today, Major League Baseball insider Bob Nightengale provided some significant updates regarding the Dodgers.
The first rumor per Nightengale is a preview for the offseason, where he’s heard that the Dodgers plan to jump into the free agent frenzy for Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to jump into the free-agent fray for Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter. They may not be the high bidder, but they’ll surely keep everyone honest just as they did when they were in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.”
Tucker, 28, will become a free agent after the conclusion of the 2025 season and is, according to multiple media outlets, the top player on the market this winter.
The former Houston Astro and 2022 World Series champion was traded to the North Side of Chicago this offseason, as the Astros were unable to reach an extension with the three-time American League All-Star.
So far this season, Tucker is in the driver’s seat for the National League Most Valuable Player Award with a .276/.387/.545 slash line, a .932 OPS, 162 OPS+, ten home runs and thirty-two RBIs.
The Dodgers’ potential interest in Tucker is not shocking, given that the Dodgers play in the second-largest sports market in Los Angeles and have one of the highest payrolls in baseball annually.
However, the addition of Tucker makes sense for many reasons. The Dodgers could use another corner outfielder with an expiring contract to Michael Conforto, and Mookie Betts, who is now the team’s full-time shortstop.
The next rumor that is more relevant to the team this season is that Nightengale stated that the Dodgers do not plan to pitch two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani until after the All-Star break, believing they do not need to rush the three-time MVP while he’s putting up game-like numbers offensively for a second straight year.
“The Dodgers are holding back Shohei Ohtani from pitching until after the All-Star break, believing there’s no sense in hurrying him to the mound while he continues to put up MVP numbers at the plate.”
While the Dodgers have not formally announced anything with Ohtani and a potential return date to the mound, we can connect the dots the team has laid out over the last several weeks.
Ohtani’s current throwing program has the righty throwing a bullpen twice a week: one midway through, which is used as a touch-and-feel session, and another on the weekend, where he puts more effort into it.
Ohtani has yet to face live hitters and is just now starting to incorporate more than just a fastball, but has yet to throw any offspeed pitches, such as a curveball and slider.
While during spring training, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested that a mid-May return was in the cards for Ohtani, that was all put to bed when Ohtani shut down his bullpen session a week before the season to focus on his preparation as a hitter.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation desperately needs reinforcements with the injuries to Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, but Ohtani is not the answer for now.
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