Still looking to bolster a starting rotation that’s been decimated by injuries, the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers made a trade toward that end on Wednesday. They traded minor league infielder Gregory Barrios to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-hander Aaron Civale on Wednesday.
RHP Aaron Civale has been acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for INF Gregory Barrios. pic.twitter.com/TQ5xjtW0gG
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 3, 2024
Civale, 29, went 2-6 with a 5.07 ERA in 17 starts for the Rays this season but comes to the Brewers having posted a 3.82 ERA over his last seven outings. Over six big-league seasons with Cleveland (2019-23) and Tampa Bay (2023-24), Civale is 33-32 with a 4.10 ERA in 103 starts.
He is eligible for arbitration this winter for the first time, leaving him under team control for the next three seasons.
Brewers Trade for Aaron Civale
“This guy has a reputation of being a guy that will take the ball every time and compete,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I think he fits in. I really do. My two cents of input on the trade deadline is like, don’t get them unless they’re the right people. Don’t get them unless it fits what’s going on in this place.”
The Rays were rumored as willing to deal some of their starters ahead of the deadline, and that begins with the Civale trade.
Barrios signed with the Brewers as an international free agent in 2021 and had a .796 OPS this season at High-A Wisconsin.
“I think it’s great to [make a trade] early if you can,” Murphy said. “The kid we traded, Barrios, he’s a good player, man. They got a good player. He can defend, and his numbers are good in a tough league to hit in. He’s doing a great job.
“Trades should be that way, right? Both teams should get a good player.”
In order to make room for Civale on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee designated right-handed pitcher Taylor Clarke for assignment. The Brewers will need to make a roster move to clear a space on the active roster for Civale, who threw a bullpen session in Arizona Wednesday and could make his Brewers debut as early as this weekend when the team is in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers.
Ortiz, Paredes to the IL
Milwaukee made a handful of other moves Thursday. They placed rookie infielder Joey Ortiz on the 10-day injured list due to neck stiffness. The injury has limited his playing time for much of the last week. Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Enoli Paredes went to the 10-day IL with right forearm tendinitis.
The Brewers also recalled right-hander Janson Junk from Triple-A Nashville to replace Paredes and infielder Vinny Capra to cover the loss of Ortiz.
Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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