Dodgers send Noel Cuevas to Rockies to complete Juan Nicasio trade

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Tuesday sent outfielder Noel Cuevas to the Colorado Rockies, the player to be named later to complete the trade for pitcher Juan Nicasio.

The Dodgers acquired Nicasio from Colorado on Nov. 24, and will likely use the longtime starter in relief, where he excelled late in 2014. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi on Tuesday specifically mentioned as one of the team's new right-handed options in relief, along with Joel Peralta and Chris Hatcher, that helped make Brian Wilson expendable to the point that Wilson was designated for assignment earlier Tuesday.

Cuevas was drafted by the Dodgers in the 21st round in 2010 out of Puerto Rico. He hit just .231/.285/.351 with 28 extra-base hits in 131 games for Double-A Chattanooga in 2014, though the right-hander is more known for his defense in center field.

Cuevas, who turned 23 in October, hit .284/.341/.454 with 47 extra-base hits in 123 games in 2013 with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in the hitter friendly California League.

Entering 2014, Baseball America tabbed Cuevas as having the best outfield arm in the Dodgers farm system. Back in 2010, Baseball America ranked Cuevas as the best power hitter in the Dodgers' 2010 draft class, one that included Joc Pederson. But Cuevas to date has hit just 29 home runs in 416 minor league games.

Cuevas was in minor league camp in spring training in 2014, but suited up for two games with the Dodgers in Cactus League play, getting two at-bats. In his first game, he clubbed a three-run home run in the ninth inning against Texas to give the Dodgers a come-from-behind 7-5 victory.