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Dodgers make trade, acquire pitcher from Blue Jays
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- Dodgers make trade, acquire pitcher from Blue Jays
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays might not meet in the World Series this year, but they took a moment Tuesday, Sept. 1, to hook up on a small trade.
The Dodgers acquired 20-year-old pitcher Sebastian Rodriguez from the Blue Jays for José Rodríguez, a 25-year-old relief pitcher who showed promise at Triple-A this season.
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José Rodríguez was 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 21 games for the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers' top farm team. He struck out 36 batters in 29 1/3 innings with a 1.40 WHIP.
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The Blue Jays are obviously getting the more MLB-ready player. A native of Oaxaca, Mexico, José Rodríguez spent six seasons in the Dodgers' organization but was unlikely to crack Los Angeles ' major-league bullpen this year.
Blue Jays remain in playoff hunt
He'll get a better chance of making his MLB debut in Toronto, where the Blue Jays have been thwarted in their quest to repeat as AL East champions by a litany of injuries to their pitching staff this season.
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Through Monday, the Blue Jays are 68-70 — only 1.5 games out of the final wild-card berth in the AL, but last in their own division with a 14.5-game deficit on the Tampa Bay Rays (82-55).
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José Rodríguez made six appearances for the Dodgers in spring training. He went 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA and one save. In five innings, he allowed eight hits, four runs, two walks and struck out seven batters.
According to MLB Pipeline , José Rodríguez was the No. 29 prospect in the Dodgers' system. The changeup is his primary weaon, "with tremendous fade and some depth as well," according to Pipeline's scouting report .
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"Though he's a lanky 6-foot-6, Rodriguez repeats his mechanics well enough to provide consistent strikes," the report reads . "He creates 7+ feet of extension with his delivery, which enables his pitches to get on hitters much more quickly than expected. He hasn't been able to add much strength since turning pro, and if he can, his stuff could kick up and enhance his chances of becoming a No. 4 starter."
Sebastian Rodriguez signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela in June. He went 4-0 with 11 strikeouts in nine innings across seven Dominican Summer League games.
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