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Dodgers Notes: Eric Lauer Trade Rumors, Tarik Skubal Latest, One Deal LA Must Make Before Deadline

Catch up on all the latest Dodgers news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Jul 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jul 18, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets, 4-2, on Friday night and improved to 66-38 on the year.

Right-hander Roki Sasaki punched out nine batters across seven innings of work to earn his fourth win of the season. Evan Phillips allowed a solo home run in his lone inning on the mound while Tanner Scott earned save No. 16 on the year.

Offensively, a Miguel Rojas sacrifice fly brought in the first run of the game in the fourth inning while Shohei Ohtani did the same in the seventh. A Kyle Tucker two-run home run in the eighth put the final nail in the Mets-sized coffin.

In other news, rumors surrounding southpaw Eric Lauer continue to swirl, despite superstar Shohei Ohtani being shut down from pitching for the foreseeable future. The health of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow — both nearing returns to the rotation — paired with other contenders looking for a consistent veteran arm can very well dictate which jersey Lauer is wearing on Aug. 4.

Addtionally, rival executives around the baseball world are still worried that LA may make a last-minute deal for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Even though it was reported that the Dodgers were not interested in the ace earlier this month, MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post recently reported about rivals still looking over their shoulders for a potential offer from the reigning two-time defending champions.

"Rivals worry that the Dodgers might be underselling their interest in Tarik Skubal," Heyman wrote. "Dodgers people have suggested they have limited interest in Skubal since Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are working their way back to join their three All-Star starters: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski."

Finally, there is one clear deal that the Dodgers must make ahead of the trade deadline as All-Star catcher Will Smith continues to miss time. Smith has been out since early June, and backup backstop Dalton Rushing has been hitting just .205 in his last 30 games.

The margin for error will only get smaller for the Dodgers as they chase a third-consecutive World Series win, and depending on when Smith can get back behind the dish, there needs to be a plan in place.

Here’s all the latest Dodgers news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Dodgers Could Still Trade Eric Lauer at Deadline Despite Shohei Ohtani Injury: Report

Rival Execs Worried Dodgers are Lurking in Tarik Skubal Sweepstakes

One Trade Dodgers Must Make Before Deadline With Will Smith Out Indefinitely

Dodgers Connected to All-Star Mets Pitcher in Potential Trade Deadline Swing

Dodgers Lineup vs Mets: Max Muncy Out, Miguel Rojas Starting

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

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