The Los Angeles Dodgers moved to bolster their bullpen for the second half and beyond, acquiring right-hander Casey Sadler from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in exchange for minor league right-hander Nathan Witt.
Sadler, 28, has a 1.86 ERA in nine relief appearances with the Rays this season, and has a 2.76 ERA in 11 appearances (three starts) at Triple-A Durham. The Dodgers added Sadler to the 40-man roster and optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Over four major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Rays, Sadler is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in 18 appearances (one start).
As a staff, the Dodgers lead the National League with a 3.41 ERA, but the relievers have a combined 4.09 ERA, fifth in the National League. It is one of the few weaknesses of one of the top teams in baseball, who opened play Wednesday with an MLB-best 58-29 record.
Witt, 23, is 1-2 with a 5.32 ERA in 22 appearances with Class-A Great Lakes. Since he was drafted out of Michigan State in the 17th round in 2017, he is 4-2 in the Dodgers’ organization with a 4.32 ERA.
To make room for Sadler, Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill (left forearm strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Hill left a June 19 start against the San Francisco Giants after one inning with the injury.