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Major League Baseball roundup

[August 02, 2016] Aug 1 (The Sports Xchange) - The Pittsburgh Pirates bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring Ivan Nova from the New York Yankees and fellow right-hander Drew Hutchison from the Toronto Blue Jays just before thn non-waiver trade deadline.

Nova was acquired for two players to be named while Hutchison comes to Pittsburgh for veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano, minor league catcher Reese McGuire and minor league outfielder Harold Ramirez.

Nova posted a 7-6 mark with one save and a 4.90 ERA in 21 games with the Yankees this season. The 29-year-old Dominican owns a 53-39 record in 131 career contests - all with New York.

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The New York Mets reacquired left-hander Jonathon Niese from the Pirates for left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo and cash considerations.

Niese is 8-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 23 appearances (18 starts) this season. The Mets shipped him to Pittsburgh in the offseason for second baseman Neil Walker.

Niese, 29, spent his first eight seasons with the Mets and won a career-best 13 games in 2012. He has a 69-67 career mark to go with a 4.00 ERA.

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The Chicago Cubs continue to redesign their bullpen by landing right-handed reliever Joe Smith from the Los Angeles Angels for a minor leaguer.

Smith is 1-4 with six saves and a 3.82 ERA in 38 games this season. The 32-year-old briefly served as the Angels' closer when Huston Street was sidelined.

The acquisition of Smith comes after the Cubs traded for Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees last week. Chicago followed up by acquiring left-hander Mike Montgomery from the Seattle Mariners and activated veteran right-hander Joe Nathan.

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The Cleveland Indians added depth to their outfield by acquiring Brandon Guyer from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Guyer likely will platoon with right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall for the Indians, who shipped minor league outfielder Nathan Lukes and right-hander Jhonleider Salinas to the Rays to complete the deal.

Guyer batted just .241 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 63 games with Tampa Bay this season, although the 30-year-old feasted on left-handed pitching. Guyer batted .344 versus southpaws in 2016 with four homers and nine RBIs.

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The Toronto Blue Jays made a frantic push to shore up their pitching by acquiring three hurlers, including left-hander Francisco Liriano from the Pirates.

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Toronto also landed right-hander Scott Feldman from the Houston Astros and right-hander Mike Bolsinger from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays sent right-hander Drew Hutchison, catcher Reese McGuire and outfielder Harold Ramirez to the Pirates.

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The Baltimore Orioles added a familiar face by acquiring veteran utilityman Steve Pearce from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa Bay secured the services of minor-league catcher Jonah Heim for Pearce, who batted .258 with 43 homers and 116 RBIs in parts of four seasons with Baltimore.

The 33-year-old Pearce enjoyed a career campaign with the Orioles in 2014, belting 21 homers and 26 doubles to going along with 49 RBIs.

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With two late-inning relievers sidelined, the Boston Red Sox bolstered their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Fernando Abad from the Minnesota Twins.

The Red Sox made their fifth trade in the last month and will send right-handed pitcher Pat Light to the Twins.

Abad will join the Red Sox while the team waits for Craig Kimbrel and Koji Uehara to recover from their respective injuries.

Kimbrel currently is recovering from a knee injury that required surgery on July 11. Uehara, who assumed closing duties for Kimbrel, has been on the disabled list since July 20 with a right pectoral strain.

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Three days after being acquired in a seven-player trade, right-hander Colin Rea is being sent back from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres because of an elbow injury.

The Marlins shipped Rea back to the Padres after he only pitched 3 1/3 innings with Miami before getting injured Saturday night.

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Marlins were "absolutely livid" and felt they were traded damaged goods. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))

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