Dodgers Strike Deal With White Sox to Acquire Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, per Report

Los Angeles bolstered its roster with a pair of veteran pitchers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

As teams continue to make moves ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Dodgers reportedly struck a deal with the White Sox on Friday to bolster their pitching rotation.

Los Angeles reached an agreement on a trade to acquire Chicago pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Joel Sherman of the New York Post was the first to report news of the deal. 

The White Sox will receive Double A pitchers Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure and outfielder Trayce Thompson in the deal.

According to Sherman, trade talks moved forward after Lynn, 36, indicated he would waive his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers.

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Friday’s news marks a notable pair of additions for the NL West-leading Dodgers (58–43), as the club looks to add reinforcements via a two-time All-Star Lynn and a reunion with longtime reliever Kelly, 35.

The 2023 campaign has seen both players experience their share of struggles. Lynn currently owns a 6.28 ERA and leads MLB in earned runs (86) through 21 starts, while Kelly, who started the year strong, owns a 4.97 ERA in 31 games.

Given the number of injuries to their pitching staff, including Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers may need to rely on their new right-handers down the stretch. For Kelly, the opportunity could turn into an interesting second stint in L.A. for the 12-year veteran, who won his second World Series in 2020 during his first run with the club.