Less than a week after acquiring Max Scherzer in a trade with the Nationals, the Dodgers are once again bolstering their starting rotation.
Los Angeles is reportedly closing in on a deal for free agent left-hander Cole Hamels, according to MLB Network. Hamels, 37, has yet to pitch in the majors this season.
Hamels threw only 3 ¹/₃ innings in 2020 as he suffered from triceps tendonitis and shoulder fatigue after signing a one-year, $18 million deal with the Braves.
At least 20 teams attended a showcase for Hamels in July.
It remains unclear what sort of ramp-up Hamels will require before joining the big league club. Still, Hamels, a 15-year veteran with a career 3.43 ERA, brings a postseason pedigree to a Dodgers team aiming to win a second straight World Series. In 17 career postseason appearances, Hamels has a 3.41 ERA and was named World Series MVP with the Phillies in 2008.
Hamels will provide needed relief to a depleted Dodgers rotation, which currently is without injured starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.
Trevor Bauer is also sitting out indefinitely on administrative leave as the league and California police investigate sexual assault allegations against him.