The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded pitcher Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. This move comes five days after Vanasco was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster for Nick Ahmed, who was signed following Miguel Rojas’s placement on the 10-day injured list due to right forearm tightness.
Vanasco became the second of three Dodgers pitchers to be designated for assignment last week amid a roster squeeze. James Paxton was the first, as the Dodgers needed to make room for River Ryan’s MLB debut. Paxton was traded to the Boston Red Sox for prospect Moises Bolivar, while Yohan Ramírez, also DFA’d, was claimed by the Red Sox.
Vanasco’s time with the Dodgers ends after he was acquired from the Texas Rangers last year. Following his DFA, he cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He became a free agent after the 2023 season but re-signed with the Dodgers on a Major League deal, adding him to their 40-man roster.
This season, Vanasco made only two appearances for the Dodgers—one in April and another earlier this month—yielding a total of three runs against the Detroit Tigers on July 13 after a scoreless debut against the Washington Nationals. He was optioned to Oklahoma City the next day to accommodate Brent Honeywell, who joined the team after being claimed off waivers.
In 24 games with Oklahoma City this season, Vanasco went 0-2 with five saves, a 3.47 ERA, and a 1.71 WHIP.
This trade could be the beginning of further dealings between the Dodgers and Tigers before the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday. The Dodgers are reportedly interested in acquiring pitchers Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal, although a trade for Skubal this year seems unlikely.
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