MLB notes: Dodgers acquire Hanley Ramirez from Marlins
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired former N.L. batting champion Hanley Ramirez from Miami in a multiplayer trade, the second big deal in as many days for the disappointing Marlins.
The Marlins announced the deal Wednesday at a news conference before their game against the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers also get reliever Randy Choate, while the Marlins receive pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor-league pitcher Scott McGough.
“I am sad to go,” Ramirez said. “This will be always be my home, but it will just be a little different.”
A day after the Marlins sent pitcher Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers for pitching prospect Jacob Turner and two minor leaguers, Miami traded with another playoff hopeful.
The 28-year-old Ramirez is hitting .246 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs, far from his big season in 2009 when he hit .342 with 24 homers and 106 RBIs. The All-Star shifted from shortstop to third base this season to make room for newly acquired Jose Reyes.
Ramirez and the Marlins have fallen short of expectations this year. Los Angeles got off to a terrific start this season, but hit a skid and fell out of first place.
The Dodgers haven’t gotten much production from their third basemen, with Juan Uribe batting just .190.
Ripken Jr.’s mother found after kidnap
Cal Ripken Jr.’s 74-year-old mother was found with her hands bound and blindfolded in the back seat of her car Wednesday after being kidnapped at gunpoint at her home outside Baltimore a day earlier, police and friends said.
Investigators do not know the kidnapper’s motive and there was no ransom demand for Vi Ripken’s release, police said. She was found unharmed but shaken about 6:15 a.m. near her home.
Clearing the bases
The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled prized prospect Starling Marte from Triple-A Indianapolis and are expected to make him their regular left fielder. The 24-year-old Marte hit .286 in 98 games for Indianapolis with 20 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 61 RBIs and 21 stolen bases … The semifinals and final of next year’s World Baseball Classic will be played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. First-round games will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz. Second-round games will take place in Miami.