Kris Bubic discussed his trade from the Kansas City Royals to the Los Angeles Dodgers and detailed his recovery timeline from a flexor strain and shoulder impingement on August 5, 2026.
Bubic described his reaction to the deal in straightforward terms. "Getting traded over here is pretty exciting to hear," he said. He explained that he suffered a low-grade flexor strain following his start on May 14 in Chicago, and later dealt with a shoulder impingement. He also has a history of Tommy John surgery a couple of years back and a rotator cuff injury the previous year.
Bubic noted he received a cortisone injection on July 1 and had not pitched in about two months by the time the trade deadline arrived. He added that he got back on the mound the Sunday right before the trade was made, and has been building up through bullpen sessions since. He outlined a general target of returning around the end of August or early September, and said he expects to come back in a bullpen role rather than as a starter given the point in the season.
Bubic acknowledged frustration that injuries have repeatedly interrupted stretches when he felt his pitching had improved. "The quality has been a lot better in recent years but the quantity hasn't been there," he said. He stated he is not picky about his role and simply wants to help the team down the stretch in any capacity, pointing to his experience pitching in a high-leverage bullpen role during the 2024 postseason with Kansas City as a reference point.
Bubic spent his entire career with the Royals, from being drafted through his major league tenure, and noted he had previously started against the Dodgers in Kansas City the prior year, giving him some familiarity with the organization before the trade. He mentioned the team has already identified mechanical and movement adjustments that could help his delivery and protect his shoulder going forward.
Reflecting on his rehab process, Bubic said he is staying focused on the present rather than the timeline, noting he is currently based at the team's complex in Glendale rather than traveling with the club. "I'll plan on being here at the complex in Glendale," he said, as he continues working toward a return around the end of August or early September.