The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Nathan Witt to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Casey Sadler, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rich Hill was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create room for Sadler on the 40-man roster.
The right-hander was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 25th round of the 2010 MLB Draft and made his debut with the club in 2014. Sadler only appeared in a combined nine games over parts of the 2014, 2015 and 2018 seasons with the Pirates, going 1-1 with a 6.86 ERA.
Albeit still in a small sample size, Sadler has fared slightly better with the Rays this season. In nine games, he’s pitched to a 1.86 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.09 WHIP, to go along with 11 strikeouts against five walks over 19.1 innings.
Sadler was 1-1 with one save and a 2.76 ERA in 11 games (three starts) for Triple-A Durham this year. The Rays designated him for assignment on Saturday as a corresponding move to calling up Brendan McKay.
Witt appeared in 22 games for Low-A Great Lakes, going 1-2 with a 5.32 ERA and 1.44 ERA. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2017 Draft, and spent his first two professional seasons with the Arizona League Dodgers.
Witt is 4-2 with a 4.32 ERA in 41 career Minor League games.
Andrew Friedman has worked to deal with his former club on several occasions since being named Dodgers’ president of baseball operations. Wednesday’s trade is the second between the Dodgers and Rays this season, as L.A. previously sent Travis d’Arnaud to Tampa Bay back in May.
While this was more of a minor trade, the Dodgers are expected to pursue established relief options prior to the July 31 deadline. Thus far they’ve been linked to closers Brad Hand, Will Smith and Felipe Vazquez.
