Dodgers Hire Hitting Coach as Skubal Talks Loom

The Dodgers saw two additional players become free agents this month: a right-handed pitcher beginning his second stint with Los Angeles and a catcher. The pitcher, 32, has a 4.44 ERA over seven major-league seasons. Their identities were not specified in the update.

Los Angeles also brought in a new batting instructor in place of Aaron Bates, after the team and Bates failed to reach agreement on a new contract. The incoming coach’s former team ranked among the top 10 clubs for average, on-base rate and OPS during 2026.

Gomes said Skubal enjoyed his time with the Dodgers and that the club valued having him, but added that the two-time Cy Young Award winner would decide what was best for himself and his family. The Dodgers’ pursuit comes as the offseason market for the left-hander gathers attention.

Skubal posted a 2.61 ERA in 10 regular-season starts for Los Angeles after the trade deadline last season. Across the full season, he induced swings at pitches outside the strike zone 36.6% of the time and walked 4.4% of batters. His average fastball velocity dipped slightly from 2025 to 2026. In May, while still with Detroit, he underwent a NanoScope procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow. The procedure was performed by Dodgers head physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache and was less extensive than Blake Snell’s similar surgery.