Dodgers DFA Paxton to make room for No. 4 prospect

LOS ANGELES -- With a large number of players getting healthier and some trade possibilities on the horizon before the July 30 Deadline, the Dodgers will need to make some difficult 40-man roster decisions over the next two weeks.

Their first tough call came on Monday as the Dodgers decided to designate veteran left-hander James Paxton for assignment. The move made room for No. 4 prospect River Ryan, a 25-year-old right-hander who allowed just one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings in the Dodgers’ 3-2 win over the Giants in the series opener.

"Obviously not an easy decision,” said Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes. “Pax is a total pro, did everything that we asked of him. I think with where we’re at right now, fortunately enough, it feels like there’s some starting pitching coming back health-wise. … Everything that went into that decision was winning games short-term, but also looking at what we would project as potential postseason, down-the-stretch roster."

The move to designate Paxton could come as a surprise, given that he is 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA this season and had a solid start against the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing just two runs and striking out seven over five-plus innings in a 9-6 victory. Paxton, however, has had his fair share of inconsistencies this season, and he can now be traded over the next few days to a team looking for starting pitching depth.

“I really don’t know what to expect when I take the ball out there,” Paxton said Sunday. “I’m out there giving everything I’ve got, and some days I have more than others. I think that’s kind of where the inconsistency is coming from.”

The Dodgers’ decision regarding Paxton won’t be their last 40-man and active roster move this week. They are getting Tyler Glasnow back from the injured list on Wednesday, which will require a corresponding move. On Thursday, Los Angeles will be activating Clayton Kershaw from the 60-day IL, requiring both an active roster move and another 40-man decision.

"I think that was the tipping point and knowing that we're going to need some roster spots coming up here," Gomes said.

Given their injuries and high expectations, the Dodgers are also expected to be one of the most aggressive teams before next week’s Deadline. Top-end starting pitching will be at the forefront, particularly digging into White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet and Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, which is another reason why the Dodgers felt confident they can get enough coverage the rest of the season even without Paxton.

"I think we've talked about it before, but certainly looking for impact-type players," Gomes said. "We think our team right now is really good, especially once we get back to full strength. Targeting starting pitching, but it's going to be an impact-type arm."

Los Angeles is also expecting to get Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Brusdar Graterol and Ryan Brasier back over the next two months, which will all require additional 40-man roster decisions.

The Dodgers’ roster could look a lot different in 10 days. Paxton was just the first step.