LOS ANGELES _ The herniated disk in Clayton Kershaw's lower back won't necessarily intensify the pursuit of a starting pitcher before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, Andrew Friedman, the team's president of baseball operations, said Sunday.
The Dodgers want to get a better handle on Kershaw's absence _ the ace is expected to miss at least a month _ and how well newly acquired right-hander Bud Norris and returning starters Brandon McCarthy (elbow surgery) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) fare this month before plunging into the market. And the need for a bat could exceed the need for an arm.
"We've started conversations and have targeted a number of guys regardless of what's going on," Friedman said. "Of course, as things play out the next few weeks, the importance of certain areas will grow and others will decrease. But it's still pretty early on in those conversations."
The quality and cost of pitching will affect decisions. A starter the caliber of Cole Hamels or David Price, who were traded last July, is not expected to be available this summer.
Among the better options could be Oakland's Sonny Gray, Atlanta's Julio Teheran, the Chicago White Sox's Jose Quintana and Tampa Bay's Erasmo Ramirez and Matt Moore.
"It will be interesting to see," Friedman said. "I think there are a lot of guys who are available; the question is at what cost. ... As you get further into this month things will start to crystalize as to what is more practical. But I think the strength and depth of our system puts us in a position that deals won't happen without us being in the conversation."
Friedman said Kershaw, who received an epidural on Wednesday, has begun a five-step rehabilitation program that emphasizes core strengthening. But a timeline for Kershaw's return is tough to pinpoint.
"So much of this is specific to the individual _ it really varies from guy to guy," Friedman said. "Throwing will be a big step, and as soon as we can get him there in a responsible way, we'll do it."
