Pirates deal with Cubs for reliever

The Pirates made a trade Sunday to add to their bullpen depth, acquiring righthanded pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. from the Chicago Cubs for infielder Shendrik Apostel.

Underwood Jr., 26, was a second-round pick of Chicago in 2012 and made his MLB debut in 2018. This past season, Underwood Jr. made a career-high 17 appearances and had a 5.66 ERA in 20.2 innings out of the bullpen.

Underwood Jr. picked up his first MLB win Aug. 17, 2020, against St. Louis. He has struck out 27 while walking just six in his major league career. He actually began his pro career as a starter, though he transitioned to a full-time relief role in 2019.

Apostel, 20, has not yet made it out of the Dominican Summer League, where he slashed .256/.421/.451 in 27 games back in 2019. Apostel had just one double and five home runs in his 82 atbats.

Indians

For the third time in less than a year, Cleveland is having to isolate players because they broke COVID-19 protocols. Third baseman Jose Ramirez and slugger Franmil Reyes are being kept away from their teammates at spring training in Arizona after they reported to the team that they went out to dinner in violation of team and MLB regulations. Manager Terry Francona said that the two players were sent to their temporary homes as the Indians await word from the league as to when they can rejoin the team.

Cubs

Reliever Pedro Strop was sent away from camp after also violating MLB’s COVID-19 protocols by dining out with both Ramirez and Reyes of the Indians. A joint committee consisting of representatives of the players association and MLB will determine how long Strop will have to be away from camp. The length will be determined after COVID-19 testing, and an evaluation of his conduct, meaning whether Strop knowingly violated the protocols.

Nationals

Jeremy Jeffress was released by Washington for what general manager Mike Rizzo called unspecified “personnel reasons,” less than two weeks after the reliever agreed to terms on a minor league deal.

Braves

Atlanta starter Charlie Morton worked three innings giving up two hits and a walk while striking out three. Dansby Swanson hit a three-run double and Pablo Sandoval had an RBI double in the Braves 5-4 win against Boston.