Dodgers address pitching, outfield at deadline, setting up potential late-season run

5:21 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — Efficiency ruled the day for the Los Angeles Dodgers as the final hours of the non-waiver trade deadline approached Monday.

In need of starting pitching and outfield help, the Dodgers managed to acquire both in one deal, although neither player obtained was the biggest fish in the trade-market sea at their respective positions.

In landing left-handed pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics, the Dodgers got the starter they desperately needed and the outfielder who is expected to make a smooth transition into an offense that has been flourishing of late.

Hill is currently on the disabled list with a blister issue on his left middle finger, but he is eligible to be activated by Saturday when the Dodgers will need a fifth starter — the team has been operating with four starters recently, able to do so because of a number of off days lately, including one Monday.

The Dodgers’ staff is heavily left-handed with pitchers such as Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood, but three of those pitchers are on the disabled list, a fact that highlights their need for pitching help over the final two months. Only Kazmir is healthy at the present time.

Kershaw’s status remains unknown as he works his way through a lower back injury that has been diagnosed as a mild disk herniation. It has grown into more than a slight inconvenience, though, especially after he had a setback right after the All-Star break while participating in a simulated game.

As of this past weekend, Kershaw still was not participating in baseball activity, according to manager Dave Roberts, and it was uncertain when he would pick up a ball again. Kershaw said last week that he still intends to return this season and make an impact for his team down the stretch.

Without a true ace, the Dodgers will move forward with a rotation of Kazmir, …

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