MLB notes: A’s finalize big trade
The beginning of July’s first blockbuster trade occurred about a month ago, when Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane called Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein to ask about Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.
Beane told Epstein he liked the starting pitchers, and he was going to be aggressive in an attempt to improve the A.L. West leaders. Fast forward to this weekend, when Beane proved just how serious he was during that initial call.
Oakland and Chicago announced the big trade on Saturday, with Samardzija and Hammel heading to the West Coast for a package of prospects that included the A’s first-round selections in each of the past two drafts.
“The deal speaks for itself. To pick up two guys like that in early June is pretty fantastic,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “This makes us better.”
In somewhat of a surprise, the A’s sent left-hander Tommy Milone to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Samardzija. Milone was 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA over his last 11 starts and 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts overall.
“What do you say to a guy like that?” Melvin said. “He’s been terrific his last 10 starts and has meant a lot to us the last three years. I tried to figure out what to say to him.”
Jurrjens’ chest tightness just a scare
Jair Jurrjens was breathing a little easier after the tightness in his chest turned out to be nothing more than a scare.
The newly acquired Colorado Rockies pitcher was taken to the hospital following his start Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers after struggling to catch his breath.
Jurrjens, 28, said X-rays and blood work revealed nothing out of the ordinary and his shortness of breath may simply be due to the altitude.
Clearing the bases
The Los Angeles Angels have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana from Arizona for outfielder Zach Borenstein and minor league right-hander Joey Krehbiel. The 23-year-old Borenstein was the Angels’ minor league player of the year last season and hit .262 with seven homers and 50 RBIs in 78 games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake this year. … St. Louis Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia said he may need additional shoulder surgery because he’s experiencing nerve issues and numbness in his hand. Garcia is 3-1 with a 4.12 ERA in seven starts this season and is on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder soreness.