Continuing their roster purge in the midst of a disappointing season that has seen their roster depleted by injuries, the Philadelphia Phillies traded right-handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Dodgers will pay the 31-year-old Blanton’s remaining salary, and he is a free agent at the end of the season.
Blanton, who is 8-9 with a 4.59 ERA in 21 games (including 20 starts), adds depth to a Dodgers rotation that features Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang.
Right-hander B.J. Rosenberg was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the vacant roster spot. Left-hander Kyle Kendrick will at least temporarily replace Blanton in the Phillies rotation, the team announced.
It has been an active period of transactions for the Phillies, which are 47-58 and in last place in the National League East, 15.5 games behind the first place Nationals. The team dealt Shane Victorino to the Dodgers and Hunter Pence to the Giants earlier this week.
Outfielder Juan Pierre, utility infielder Ty Wigginton and backup catcher Brian Schneider are other players who could be shipped elsewhere by the August 31 deadline.
