ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A few hours after adding depth to their already formidable starting pitching staff, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he has his eye on at least one more hurler.
"As I've said many times, you better have enough of everything," Colletti said Thursday from the dugout as the Dodgers took batting practice before their series and regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Angels.
Colletti wouldn't identify which pitcher is on his radar, but landing his target will likely require a trade, as the NL West-leading Dodgers are currently 30th on the waiver-wire waiting list and 15th among NL teams.
Colletti traded a pair of to-be-named minor leaguers to acquire right-hander Roberto Hernandez from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier in the day. He's hoping the 33-year-old will reap benefits similar to the moves he made late in the 2009 season.
Vicente Padilla joined the Dodgers in August of that year and went 4-0 down the stretch, then pitched seven shutout innings in winning the clinching game of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. Jon Garland was also acquired late in that season and contributed a 3-2 record and 2.72 ERA, though he was left off the playoff roster.
Hernandez, who went by the name Fausto Carmona until 2011, brings a 6-8 mark and 3.87 ERA, winning his past three decisions.
"We've got seven weeks left in the regular season, and anytime you can add somebody who can not only give you innings but give you quality, you have to take a shot at it," Colletti said.
Colletti said he had been in discussions with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro regarding a deal, but the move for Hernandez was accelerated when veteran right-hander Josh Beckett felt more discomfort in his hip while warming up for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
"I knew I had to get it done quicker, before I sat here and said that Josh was [injured], so Ruben couldn't hold me up for even more [trade assets]," Colletti said.
Hernandez won't have much time to get acclimated to the Dodgers' clubhouse, as he's scheduled to take Beckett’s spot in the rotation and start Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers as the Dodgers continue their nine-game trip.
"I'm excited to see what we're going to get tomorrow," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He's a ground ball guy, a sinker ball guy. … He’s going to be at his best when he's down in the strike zone. If he's going good, you're going to see the ball on the ground a lot."
Beckett was scheduled to have an MRI exam sometime Thursday evening, and the Dodgers will then decide whether to place him on the DL. Beckett is 6-6 with a 2.88 ERA, throwing a no-hitter back in May.