NL West Notes: Padres' Cosart looks for first win, Dodgers anticipate pitching returns

Jarred Cosart joined the Padres in late July after a trade from the Marlins, but he's still searching for his first win of the season, let alone in a Friars uniform.

Cosart has started six games in 2016, but only has one decision to his credit--a loss against the Giants way back on April 22, when he was still a Marlin. The remarkable statistic can likely be attributed to Cosart's short appearances, as the righty hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his starts this season.

As the Padres look to finish the season on a high note, you have to wonder how desperate they are to see good stuff from Cosart, who likely just wants to make more of a footprint in the win-loss column.

Here's what else is happening around the National League West:

Though Clayton Kershaw has garnered most of the press as far as injured Dodger pitchers go, there are several other notable pitchers in L.A. that could return to the majors very soon. New Dodger Rich Hill has been sidelined with blisters on his left middle finger for some time now, but he's on his way to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment this week. Bud Norris is on his way to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this week--he'll be joined by Adam Liberatore, who could return next weekend. The returns have to be encouraging for the Dodgers, who are going to need fresh arms for the stretch run, whether in the starting rotation or in the bullpen.

The Giants carry one of the best records in baseball as we enter mid-August, but they are hitting leaves a lot to be desired. Relying on a star-studded pitching rotation has somewhat worked for San Francisco, but they'll need more plate production as the playoffs near. McCovey Chronicles' Grant Brisbee breaks down several possible explanations to the Giants hitting woes, and some may surprise you.

In a hot streak reminiscent of Trevor Story's homer rampage in April, Colorado's David Dahl managed to make some history of his own at the dish. Dahl's streak of 17 consecutive games with a hit to start his career ended Friday night, when he went 0-for-4 against the Phillies in a 10-6 loss. Only Chuck Aleno of the Reds matched this feat, when he hit safely in his first 17 games back in 1941. Read more Rockies tidbits here.

After a reasonable amount of production earlier in his career, Arizona's Patrick Corbin has imploded in 2016. He's 4-12 with a 5.58 ERA, and was rocked for eight runs against the Red Sox on Friday night. One AZ Snake Pit reporter takes a closer look at where it all went wrong for Corbin this season.