Padres send two starters to Marlins in 7-player deal
MIAMI >> Buyers at the trade deadline for a change, the Miami Marlins believe they now have enough starting pitching to make a playoff push.
The Marlins acquired the rotation reinforcements they sought in a trade Friday that cost them four players. Right-handers Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea were sent to Miami by the San Diego Padres in the seven-player deal.
Miami also will receive pitching prospect Tayron Guerrero and cash for right-handers Jarred Cosart and Carter Capps and two minor leaguers, pitching prospect Luis Castillo and first baseman Josh Naylor.
“The one message it does send is that we’re trying to win,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said. “We’re not trying to go backward. We have an opportunity here.”
The Marlins are in contention for their first playoff berth since 2003 despite a shaky rotation. Aside from ace Jose Fernandez, their starters are 23-24 with an ERA of 4.40.
Rea will start Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, and Cashner will start the series finale Sunday.
Cashner is 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 16 starts, including a 2.55 ERA in his past three outings while being showcased for a trade.
“We wanted to get someone that was hot and could bring an immediate impact,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.
Cashner has a career record of 30-49 with a 3.73 ERA in seven seasons. Mattingly, former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced the 6-foot-6 right-hander often in the NL West.
“I’ve seen him really good,” Mattingly said. “He’s got power stuff. I saw him when he was their No. 1, and he has that kind of stuff.”
Rea, who is in his second major league season, is 5-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 19 games this year.
Cashner has a $7.15 million contract and becomes a free agent after this season. Rea, 26, has a salary of $510,200 and is under team control through 2018.
Marlins players applauded the trade.
“Cashner has very good stuff,” Fernandez said. “I’ve actually faced him hitting, and I don’t like to hit against him. I think he’s going to help us get to where we need to go.”
Angels ace Richards shut down for season
ANAHEIM >> Los Angeles Angels ace Garrett Richards won’t pitch again this season because of a tear in his right elbow.
Richards last pitched on May 1 and was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral five days later. Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday that Richards was done for the year.
Richards is hoping stem-cell treatments can help him avoid Tommy John surgery and be ready for 2017.
A-Rod expects to get playing time at first base
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. >> Alex Rodriguez expects to get some playing time at first base during the final two months of the regular season.
“I think so,” the struggling Yankees slugger said Friday before New York’s game at Tampa Bay. “I think it’s just a work in progress.”
The 41-year-old Rodriguez is hitting just .206 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games as a designated hitter and pinch-hitter. The game with the Rays was the sixth straight that the 41-year old was not in the lineup.