The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded right-hander Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels for three pitchers and a player to be named.
The Diamondbacks get left-hander Joe Saunders and right-hander Rafael Rodriguez, along with minor leaguer Patrick Corbin.
A three-time All-Star, Haren has averaged 15 wins over the past five seasons and is 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA in 21 starts this year. He was tied for the N.L. lead with 141 strikeouts through Saturday’s games.
Saunders was 6-10 with a 4.62 ERA in 20 starts for the Angels. Rodriguez appeared in one game this season, allowing a run and a hit in two innings.
Valentine covets Cubs managerial job
Count Bobby Valentine among those who would like to manage the Chicago Cubs.
The ESPN analyst and former New York Mets manager says he’s interested in taking over for the retiring Lou Piniella after this season.
Valentine, who led the Mets to the pennant in 2000 and also managed the Texas Rangers, called the Cubs job “one of the most coveted positions in all of sports” and added “anybody who thinks of himself as a manager would love to be considered as one of the people who might take his place.”
Velez has concussion, expected to travel
San Francisco Giants outfielder Eugenio Velez has a concussion, but is expected to travel home with the team after being struck in the head by a foul ball in the dugout Saturday night.
Velez was hit on the left side of the head on a line drive by teammate Pat Burrell in the fourth inning of San Francisco’s 10-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the night in the hospital for further tests, but manager Bruce Bochy said he was doing well and was expected to be released before the team heads back to San Francisco.
Clearing the bases
The Detroit Tigers placed outfielder Magglio Ordonez (broken ankle) and second baseman Carlos Guillen (strained calf) on the 15-day disabled list. They recalled infielders Jeff Larish and Will Rhymes from Triple-A Toledo. … The Minnesota Twins placed second baseman Orlando Hudson on the 15-day DL with a strained muscle in his ribcage. The Twins recalled catcher Jose Morales to take his roster spot.
