The Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday finalized their blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins, acquiring three-time All-Star infielder Hanley Ramirez and left-handed reliever Randy Choate for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor leaguer relief pitcher Scott McGough.
Ramirez told reporters as he left Marlins park that he was in the starting lineup Wednesday night for the Dodgers in St. Louis, per Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post.
Ramirez, 28, is under contract for two more seasons beyond this year, at $15.5 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014. The Dodgers are on the hook of the remainder of his $15 million salary this year, roughly $5.8 million.
"The addition of a hitter the caliber of Hanley Ramirez improves our lineup from top to bottom, inserting a proven run producer to go along with Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier," said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. "We’re excited for Hanley to begin a new chapter in Los Angeles."
Choate, 36, adds a second left-handed pitcher to the Dodgers bullpen along with Scott Elbert, and one who has held left-handed batters to a .150 batting average this season (9-for-60).
"Randy Choate is a veteran pitcher that provides depth to our bullpen and gives Don Mattingly another left-handed relief option," said Colletti.
With Eovaldi gone, the Dodgers will need to make another roster move to make room for both Ramirez and Choate on the active roster. That move is expected to be infielder Adam Kennedy to the disabled list, as he aggravated a right groin injury on Tuesday in St. Louis. To make room on the 40-man roster, reliever Todd Coffey, who underwent Tommy John surgery this month, will likely be transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Eovaldi was slated to start for the Dodgers on Friday in San Francisco. They will need to make another roster move for Friday's starter, whether it is via trade or possibly Stephen Fife getting called up from Triple A to make his second start.
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