The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. The deal was completed five days after Vanasco was designated for assignment.
That was done as a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers to sign Nick Ahmed, which became necessary with Miguel Rojas going on the 10-day injured list because of right forearm tightness.
Vanasco became the second of three pitchers to get DFA’d by the Dodgers last week as they faced a roster crunch. James Paxton was first to suffer that fate, as the Dodgers needed to make room on their active and 40-man rosters for River Ryan to come up for his MLB debut.
Paxton was subsequently traded to the Boston Red Sox for prospect Moises Bolivar. The Red Sox also claimed Yohan Ramírez, who had been designated for assignment as well.
Vanasco’s Dodgers career comes to an end after joining the organization via trade with the Texas Rangers last year. He was designated for assignment shortly after but cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Vanasco then became a free agent after the 2023 season but re-signed with the Dodgers on a Major League deal that added him to their 40-man roster.
The right-hander pitched in just two games for the Dodgers this year, once in April and more recently earlier this month. Vanasco’s first appearance was two scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals in his MLB debut, and he then allowed three runs to the Detroit Tigers on July 13.
Vanasco was optioned to Oklahoma City the following day as a corresponding move to Brent Honeywell joining the team after he was claimed off waivers.
In 24 games for the Oklahoma City Baseball Club this season, Vanasco went 0-2 with five saves, a 3.47 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.
Dodgers and Tigers trade?
Vanasco is the first of potentially more activity between the Dodgers and Tigers before the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday.
The Dodgers reportedly are among the teams with interest in Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal as they continue to search for starting pitching help. However, there isn’t much belief the Tigers will trade Skubal at this year’s deadline.
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