LOS ANGELES -- Just after their opening series against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
The Dodgers received relief pitcher Ryan Webb and Santa Monica native minor league catcher Brian Ward and their competitive balance Draft pick, No. 74th overall.In return, the Oriolesreceived Double-Apitcher Ben Rowen and catcher Chris O'Brien.
Rowen is coming off thoracic outlet surgery to remove a rib, performed last year.Webb was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Tuesday. The 29-year-old relieverhas averaged 57 appearances over the last five seasons with the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins and the Orioles.He has a 3.38 career ERAand his$2.75 million salary will be paid by the Dodgers.
Catcher Brian Ward was born in Santa Monica but played high school baseball atMarina High School in Huntington Beach. He played college ball atLewis-Clark State College in Indiana, where he led the Warriors to a58-7 season championship season in 2008 and was namedNAIA World Series MVP. He then signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a non-drafted free agent on June 11, 2009.
Ward hit .227/.330/.286 with two home runs and 20 runs batted in 64 games for the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides. He'll likely play behind Dodgers top catching prospect, Austin Barnes in Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Tony Capobianco started the SMDP column "Cap Space" just in time for the 2014-15 Clippers season. You can contact him via email at capomiami@yahoo.com.
