The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Zach Neal. The 33-year-old spent the last three seasons pitching for the Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. He had a 4.49 ERA in 272 1/3 innings in Japan the last three years. Neal was a 17th-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2010 and made his big-league debut with the Oakland Athletics, posting a 4.24 ERA in 24 outings (six starts). He had a 4.82 ERA in 99 innings at Triple-A in 2017 and allowed 13 runs in 14 2/3 innings with the A's that same season. Neal appeared in only one game for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds. In 32 Triple-A starts that year, Neal had a 4.63 ERA in 101 innings.
Reds Acquire Zach Neal and Idanbel Isabel in Trade with Dodgers
The Cincinnati Reds have acquired relief pitcher Zach Neal and first baseman Idanbel Isabel in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neal has three years of major league experience, appearing in 31 games and pitching to a 4.94 ERA. There's a chance he gets an opportunity in the Reds bullpen, but as nothing more than a low-leverage reliever. Isabel, on the other hand, is just 22 and has hit .283 with 52 home runs and 211 RBI over 326 minor league games. While he won't make an impact in 2018, there's a chance he could be a factor for Cincinnati somewhere down the line.
The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers made a deal on Tuesday. Cincinnati sent Ariel Hernandez, who they recently designated for assignment, to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers Zach Neal, a pitcher, and Ibandel Isabel, a first baseman. Neal, 29, will report to Triple-A Louisville while Isabel will be sent to Class A Advanced in Daytona. Isabel, 22, hit 28 homers in Single-A during the 2017 season. Hernandez has struggled with his command at the big league level and was cut by the Reds during spring training.
Zach Neal Called Up, Josh Fields Put On Paternity Leave
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Zach Neal was called up on Tuesday, adding depth to a taxed bullpen that had played 15 innings into Tuesday morning in Arizona. Reliever Josh Fields is being placed on paternity leave. Neal played with Oakland last season and wasn't very good. In 14 2/3 innings, he gave up more hits (13) than strikeouts (10) but holds a career 1.157 WHIP. With few options left after Monday night's marathon, the Dodgers will be looking for some innings from their starter, Clayton Kershaw. Neal is not on the 40-man roster, however, so the Dodgers will need to make a corresponding move.
