The Los Angeles Dodgers have struck a deal with the Atlanta Braves to acquire right-handed pitcher Bud Norris, outfielder Dian Toscano, a player to be named later and cash considerations, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Norris has been great in his last five starts, posting a 2.15 ERA and striking out 29 batters while walking just eight in 29 1/3 innings. The Dodgers rotation could definitely use another starter, especially after Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list this morning. Norris last start was on June 26, so he could start in place of Kershaw tomorrow if needed.
The Atlanta Braves will acquire lefty Philip Pfeifer and righty Caleb Dirks from the Dodgers, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Norris, 31, has posted a 4.22 ERA and a 60-to-28 K/BB ratio in 70 1/3 innings for Atlanta. He got off to a slow start in April, but turned it around in May after adding a cutter to his arsenal and getting rid of his changeup. Norris has posted a 2.08 ERA in 47 1/3 innings since April.
Toscano, 27, was signed out of Cuba by Atlanta in 2015 to a four-year deal worth $6 million. He has struggled in his first full season in the Braves farm system, putting up a slash of .226/.310/.271 in 203 plate appearances, with just five extra base hits and two stolen bases for Double-A Mississippi.
Dirks, 23, was a 15th round pick by the Braves in 2014 and Atlanta sent him and Jordan Paroubeck to the Dodgers last season in exchange for an international bonus slot. Dirks has done a great job out of the bullpen this season, putting up a 1.44 ERA in 31 1/3 innings, while posting a 35-to-7 K/BB ratio for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.
Pfeifer, 23, was drafted in the third-round last year by the Dodgers. He’s played in both Class-A and Class-A Advanced this season, posting a 2.67 ERA in 30 1/3 innings with a 42-to-18 K/BB ratio.
