Dodgers Complete Trade For Joe Blanton, Who Starts Finale Against Pirates

The Dodgers send Joe Blanton to the mound in Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Pirates, looking for his first win with his new team. Blanton so far has allowed six runs in 11 innings with the Dodgers, with one loss and one no-decision.

The Dodgers also completed their trade for Blanton on Thursday, sending right-handed pitcher Ryan O'Sullivan to the Phillies as the player to be named later. O'Sullivan, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2011, was 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 14 games in relief this season for advanced Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He was promoted earlier this year from Class A Great Lakes, where he was 5-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 15 games, including nine starts.

O'Sullivan is the younger brother of Sean O'Sullivan, who pitched for the Angels and Royals and is currently in the Blue Jays' system in Triple A Las Vegas.

O'Sullvian, who turns 22 on September 5, had 55 strikeouts and 31 walks in 88 2/3 innings across both levels this season. Our own Brandon Lennox rated O'Sullivan as the Dodgers' 23rd best prospect heading into this season, and just this week rated him as the ninth best starting pitching prospect in the system.

The Dodgers signed O'Sullivan on August 16, 2011, and because draft picks can't be traded until a year after they sign, today was the first day O'Sullivan was eligible to be included in a deal.

Bucs Roster Moves

The Dodgers weren't the only team busy with roster moves on Thursday. The Pirates placed reliever Chad Qualls on the bereavement list and optioned left-hander Jeff Locke to Triple A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh recalled righty reliever Jared Hughes and utility man Yamaico Navarro from Triple A before Thursday's game.

Starting Lineups

Game Time: 1:05 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday