MLB roundup

Dodgers deal Puig, Kemp, Wood to Reds

CINCINNATI

The Los Angeles Dodgers shook up their National League-championship roster Friday, trading Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and left-hander Alex Wood and cash to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Homer Bailey, who threw a pair of no-hitters before three major arm operations sidetracked his career.

The Dodgers also get minor leaguers Jeter Downs and right-hander Josiah Gray.

The deal gives Los Angeles a couple of prospects and a couple of slots to fill. For the Reds, it’s another move toward becoming competitive after four straight 90-loss seasons.

Last week, the Reds traded pitching prospect Tanner Rainey to the Nationals for 32-year-old starter Tanner Roark, who led the National League in losses last season while going 9-15 with a 4.34 ERA.

Cincinnati didn’t know what to do with Bailey, who went 1-14 last season with a 6.09 ERA and resisted a move to the bullpen. He has one year left on his contract and is owed $28 million. Ther Dodgers plan to release him.

Wood gives the Reds another upgrade to their young rotation, which has been their biggest weakness the last two seasons. He was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 2017, going 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA. He was 9-7 last season with a 3.68 ERA in 27 starts and six relief appearances.

The Reds’ outfield was in flux when they chose not to tender a contact to Billy Hamilton, making him a free agent. Puig is expected to play right field. He’s in the final year of a seven-year, $42 million deal.

Kemp, 34, batted .290 with 25 doubles, 21 homers and 85 RBIs last season, when he was an All-Star for the third time.

Sabathia receives stent to treat blockage

NEW YORK

Left-hander CC Sabathia had a stent inserted after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart, and the New York Yankees anticipate the 38-year-old pitcher will report to spring training on time.

“CC was experiencing some chest pain which turned out to be a blockage in one artery to his heart,” Kyle Thousand, Sabathia’s agent, said Friday in a statement. “A procedure was done to insert a stent to clear the blockage on Dec. 11. CC is doing great and will be reporting to spring training on time to get ready to play for his upcoming final season in 2019.”

Sabathia’s procedure was first reported by The Athletic.

“We are thankful that CC was smart enough to convey his symptoms to our medical staff, and in turn they immediately engaged New York-Presbyterian Hospital, who quickly determined the root cause of what ailed him,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. “We are also encouraged that the procedure CC underwent was performed as planned.”

Sabathia is listed as 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, and his weight has contributed to a chronic right knee problem that has required several operations.

Rangers deal Profar in three-team trade

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar has been traded to the Oakland Athletics in a three-team deal that included Tampa Bay and netted Texas four players.

In the deal Friday, the Rangers acquired right-hander Yoel Espinal and left-handers Kyle Bird and Brock Burke from Tampa Bay, and infielder Eli White from Oakland. Texas also got international slot compensation from the A’s.

Texas sent Profar to the A’s and minor league right-hander Rollie Lacy to Tampa Bay. The A’s also sent right-handed pitcher Emilio Pagan and a 2019 Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Rays.

Profar hit .254 with 35 doubles, six triples, 20 homers and 77 RBIs in 146 games for Texas last season.

Associated Press