The Cincinnati Reds, led by Terry Francona, are going for it.
A team on the outside looking in for a wildcard spot in the National League made a trade to pick up a starting pitcher on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zack Littell is now a member of the Reds. This season, the 29-year-old right-hander is 8-8 with a 3.58 earned run average. He has thrown 133.1 innings and struck out 89 batters, while walking 21.
The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN. Deal is agreed to, pending medical review.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025
His last outing with the Rays came on July 25, as he faced the Reds in Cincinnati. He went six innings and allowed ten hits and five earned runs. Two of his runs were via a home run.
He went 1-1 during July, with a 4.18 earned run average.
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Cincinnati is starting a three-game series with the Braves on Thursday. Following that, they will head to Chicago to start a series on Monday, before four at Pittsburgh over the weekend.
The Reds are 7.5 games back in the National League Central, but just three behind the Padres for the final wildcard.
Brian Van Belle, who was on the 40-man roster for the Reds, is part of the trade, along with another minor league player.
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