Dodgers reportedly have strong interest in Crochet

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Garrett Crochet.

July 21: Dodgers may have big plans at Trade Deadline
Although they’re due to get back a number of key players from injury in the coming weeks, including Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers are expected to be an aggressive Trade Deadline buyer this year.

On Saturday, ESPN's Alden Gonzalez (subscription required) mentioned a handful of starters who could be available to the Dodgers ahead of the July 30 Deadline -- Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Erick Fedde, Zach Eflin, Yusei Kikuchi -- but he wrote that White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet "is considered to be at the top of the Dodgers' list, regardless of whether he's a starter or a reliever the rest of the way."

Crochet has been one of the very best starters in MLB this season, recording a 3.02 ERA with 150 strikeouts over 107 1/3 innings. But his workload will likely be monitored closely the rest of the way. That's because he has already thrown more innings this season than in his previous four seasons as a pro combined (85 1/3). Crochet tossed just 25 innings between the Majors and Minors last year -- all in relief -- as he made his way back from Tommy John surgery.

If the Dodgers want to rein in Crochet's innings tally, they could put him at the back of their bullpen. Although Los Angeles' 3.38 relief ERA is the fourth-best in baseball, it could have a need developing at closer as Evan Phillips has surrendered at least one earned run in four of his past six appearances.