Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy has torn the ulnar-collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow and is out for the season. The news broke Monday night and McCarthy told reporters he'll have Tommy John surgery rather quickly if that is recommended. Surely it will be, so we know how things proceed from here for him.

Let's run down a few items of particular note here.

1. The Dodgers have the depth to go with internal options, eventually

Right now, the rotation has Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson as mainstays and it appears Scott Baker will have a shot to stay put, at least temporarily.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is due back in late May, so the rotation could be filled out like that pretty soon. Brandon Beachy is on track to be ready to make some starts in early June as he works back from a pair of Tommy John surgeries, so he's another option. 

Don't forget about Zach Lee, who has lost a bit of his shine due to a terrible 2014 season in Triple-A but still checks in as a consensus top 100 prospect in baseball. He's off to a sparkling start for Triple-A Oklahoma City through three starts this season, going 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 18 strikeouts against four walks in 19 innings. I don't think the Dodgers would bring him up until they are ready to stick with him in the rotation, so it's possible Mike Bolsinger is summoned for the time being and a Lee promotion happens later in the summer.

Still, we can look to July and envision a rotation of Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Anderson and Lee with Beachy and Baker as backup options. That could be fine and there's big upside.

So the Dodgers don't really have to get someone from outside the organization, but ...

2. The Dodgers have the resources to get a massive upgrade

They have the financial clout to be able to take on a big salary in a trade and also have an enviable prospect stash that rebuilding teams wouldn't mind carving into. The obvious name from the get-go is Cole Hamels, but down the road it's possible Johnny Cueto becomes available. If the Nationals are out of contention in July -- which I still doubt -- Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister could become available. Maybe Mat Latos or Mike Leake? Hisashi Iwakuma or Scott Kazmir?

A lot has to happen for any of the above -- past Hamels -- to become available and the list is varying degrees of realistic, but everyone I've mentioned other than Hamels is a free agent after the season.

Brandon McCarthy's 2015 season is over.
Brandon McCarthy's 2015 season is over. (USATSI)

3. The Dodgers' rotation without an upgrade would be risky

Anderson is one of the more injury-prone players in Major League Baseball. Baker isn't far behind. Ryu has to be considered an injury risk at this point and Beachy is coming off two Tommy John surgeries.

While Lee isn't a big injury risk, it's not like we could call a rookie reliable, either.

Basically, there are two ace-caliber pitchers at the top and question marks behind them. This is a team with World Series aspirations and a front office that isn't scared to shake things up.

4. Ruben Amaro's leverage keeps growing

In some circles, the Phillies' GM was mocked and even bashed for not trading Hamels this offseason. Amaro obviously didn't see the hurry unless he got a huge haul and he's looking pretty good right now. Hamels still has three years plus an option year left on his deal. With the Cardinals losing Wainwright and the Dogers losing McCarthy, that's at least two high-profile, expected contenders that very well could be bidding against each other come June.

If that's happening, you don't think a litany of other teams would get involved? The Cubs have previously made a run at Hamels and have the financial/prospect resources. If there's trade talk involved, wouldn't Padres' trade-happy GM A.J. Preller get involved? Hamels is a San Diego native, too. What if the Astros hang around and look to make a splash?

Much of this is obviously speculation, but there's no question that Amaro's poker hand has gotten a lot better in just a few weeks.

5. McCarthy remains in good spirits

One of the smartest and most likeable players on Twitter, it didn't take McCarthy long to confirm the news in his own way:

Hey, it could be much worse and he realizes this, so he's able to keep himself in good spirits. This is why McCarthy is so popular.