PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a major move before Monday’s trade deadline in Major League Baseball, sending closer Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals.
The Pirates received reliever Felipe Rivero, and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn in return. The Pirates originally drafted Hearn in 2012 but did not sign him.
Melancon was having another solid season as Pirates closer, making the All-Star team while notching 30 saves to this point.
He thanked the Pirates and Pittsburgh on Instagram.
Rivero is a left-handed reliever with a 4.53 ERA so far this season and an 0-3 record for the Nationals. But the Pirates believe he has a tremendous upside, and he’s locked into his contract for several more years.
He made his Major League debut with the Nationals in 2015 and posted a record of 2-1 with two saves, a 2.79 ERA.
Melancon was in the final year of his contract.
The Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline is Monday at 4 p.m.