Nationals Pick Up Papelbon From Phillies

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Published on July 29 2015 6:26 am
Last Updated on July 29 2015 6:26 am

The Washington Nationals have a new closer, landing All-Star Jonathan Papelbon from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Papelbon is Philadelphia's career saves leader with 123 and is 17-for-17 in save chances this season. Papelbon also is Boston's saves leader with 219.

Papelbon, 34, had said he wouldn't accept a trade unless he would remain a closer, and he agreed to waive his no-trade clause after getting the assurances he needed from Washington.

Drew Storen, 29-for-31 in save chances this season, shifts to primarily a setup role.


Tulowitzki Shocked By Trade

Count Troy Tulowitzki among those shocked by his trade late Monday night from the Colorado Rockies to the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I felt like I got blindsided a bit. I thought I was in the loop, in the conversation," Tulowitzki told The Denver Post on Tuesday afternoon. "So it definitely caught me by surprise. I was shocked, and it caught me off guard. I think maybe I was a little naive to think I would be so connected to the [trade] process."

A five-time All-Star shortstop, Tulowitzki, 30, had spent his entire nine-year career in Colorado after he was drafted seventh overall in 2005. He was pulled in the ninth inning of Monday's loss to the Chicago Cubs as the Rockies finalized the deal.


Mets Mejia Suspended Again

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expressed disbelief Tuesday after reliever Jenrry Mejia was suspended 162 games by Major League Baseball for a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

Mejia had just returned on July 7 after completing an 80-game PED suspension.

"Not surprisingly, there's a tremendous amount of disappointment -- I think to some extent anger, to some extent amazement -- that this could happen so soon after a previous suspension was completed. And some sadness," Alderson said. "This is having a tremendously adverse effect on a very promising major league career, and that's a shame. But the rules are the rules. We support the rules. This is the consequence of making bad choices."