Tarik Skubal’s arrival gives the Dodgers’ No. 29 a very different kind of shine.
That number has bounced around the roster for years, usually attached to role players, coaches and stopgaps. Now it belongs to a two-time Cy Young Award winner, and that instantly changes the conversation. The last true star the Dodgers had in 29 was third baseman Adrian Beltré.
The latest name to wear it was Jonathan Hernández, who pitched the final two innings of the Dodgers’ loss Monday night at Wrigley Field. It was the eighth time in 13 appearances this season that he finished a game, and most of those outings came in lopsided scores. Hernández was wearing No. 26 on Monday after being called back up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, a change from earlier this season when he wore 29.
Before Skubal, though, 29 was a revolving door. The Dodgers’ recent run of players and coaches in the number is a pretty eclectic group, and it reads like a snapshot of the organization across the last two decades.
In reverse chronological order, the recent No. 29s were: pitcher Jonathan Hernández (2026), pitcher Michael Grove (2024), catcher Austin Wynns (2023), pitcher Dylan Covey (2023), outfielder Billy McKinney (2021), infielder Andy Burns (2021), first base coach George Lombard (2018-19), pitcher Scott Kazmir (2016-17), third base coach Tim Wallach (2013-15), pitcher Ted Lilly (2010-13), pitcher Jason Schmit (2007-09), first baseman James Loney (2006), first base coach Mariano Duncan (2006), and hitting coach Tim Wallach (2005).
In Other News...
Dodgers Prospect Just Changed The Organizations Pitching Depth Picture
The Dodgers have spent the last few days reshaping their pitching inventory at multiple levels, and one of the quieter developments might end up mattering just as much as the headline moves. While the club shuffled pieces around the trade deadline and kept Oklahoma City busy with roster activity, a newer arm in the system gave the front office another reason to feel better about the depth it is trying to preserve.
Hyun-Seok Jangs first High-A start turned into a statement, as he worked six scoreless innings and piled up eight strikeouts before being recognized as the Midwest League pitcher of the week. For an organization that just watched Chayce McDermott and Carlos Durn head out in trades while Hunter Feduccia, Jacob Kmatz, Chuckie Robinson, Jonathan Hernndez and Emmet Sheehan all became part of Mondays movement, Jangs arrival in the conversation is the kind of development that can change how a pitching pipeline looks in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Just Clarified Two Unexpected Post Deadline Roster Roles
The Dodgers used the final stretch before the August 3 trade deadline to make a quiet but meaningful decision on two roster pieces in Alex Call and Eric Lauer. Neither player was moved, and both are now expected to stay with Los Angeles the rest of the season, a sign the club sees enough value in each to keep the roster intact rather than shop for a different fit.
Dave Roberts and Brandon Gomes both backed the decision, with Lauer set to remain in the starting rotation for now. Andrew Friedman had at one point weighed shifting Lauer to the bullpen, but recent roster changes opened the door for him to keep starting, leaving the Dodgers with a clearer picture of two unexpected roles as the season moves deeper into the second half. [Read more 🡒]