Kris Bubic Joining Dodgers in Cincinnati After Dominant Rehab Run
Kris Bubic is ready to take the next step toward making his Dodgers debut.
The left-hander is expected to join the team during its series in Cincinnati after an impressive rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. However, Los Angeles is not planning to activate him immediately, according to Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. (Los Angeles Times)
Bubic made his sixth rehab appearance Sunday, recording four outs and striking out three without allowing a run.
That completed a nearly flawless two-week stretch in Oklahoma City.
Bubic Did Not Allow a Run During Rehab Assignment
Bubic pitched 5⅔ scoreless innings across six Triple-A appearances, allowing only two singles and two walks.
He struck out nine of the 21 batters he faced, producing a 42.9 percent strikeout rate. His final appearance was also his longest, as he worked 1⅓ innings and struck out three. (True Blue LA)
The results are encouraging for a pitcher who had not appeared in a Major League game since May.
Bubic initially landed on the injured list with a low-grade flexor strain in his left forearm. He later experienced a shoulder impingement while attempting to work his way back, delaying his return further.
The Dodgers sent him to Oklahoma City on Sept. 1 to begin his latest rehab assignment. (MLB.com)
He responded by keeping opponents off the scoreboard in every appearance.
Dodgers Have Been Preparing Bubic for Bullpen Role
Bubic has spent most of his Major League career as a starting pitcher, including all nine of his appearances for Kansas City this season.
However, there is not enough time remaining in the regular season to build him back up for a conventional starting workload.
That is why the Dodgers have been preparing Bubic to pitch in relief.
His short Triple-A appearances allowed him to become accustomed to a bullpen routine while giving the organization an opportunity to evaluate his health, velocity and ability to recover between outings.
Bubic demonstrated what that role could look like during his rehab assignment. He pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his first appearance and later produced a perfect inning with another strikeout. (MLB.com, MiLB.com)
The Dodgers acquired Bubic from the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 3 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran.
Bubic was an American League All-Star in 2025, when he recorded a 2.55 ERA in 20 appearances. Before going on the injured list this season, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 50⅓ innings. (MLB.com)
Joining the Team Does Not Guarantee Immediate Activation
Bubic traveling to Cincinnati is a positive development, but it does not mean he has officially returned from the injured list.
The Dodgers can use the visit to evaluate how he feels following Sunday’s appearance and determine whether he needs another rehab outing or is ready to face Major League hitters.
Because Bubic remains on the 60-day injured list, Los Angeles will also need to create room on both its active roster and 40-man roster before activating him.
No activation date has been announced.
The Dodgers have a little more than two weeks to determine whether Bubic can help their bullpen before the postseason begins. His rehab performance has strengthened his case, but the club must now decide how those results fit into an already crowded pitching staff.
For now, Bubic is joining the Dodgers without immediately joining their active roster.
His six scoreless rehab appearances have put him on the doorstep of his Dodgers debut. The next evaluation will determine when—or whether—that opportunity arrives before October.