Nationals acquire All-Star closer Melancon

Desperate to improve their beleaguered bullpen, the first-place Washington Nationals acquired All-Star closer Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday in exchange for Felipe Rivero and minor-league pitcher Taylor Hearn, the club announced.

The acquisition of Melancon comes on the heels of a troubling month for Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon, who's allowed eight runs (seven earned) over his last three appearances, while suffering two losses and a blown save during that span.

Moments before news of the trade broke, Nationals manager Dusty Baker offered an ominous update on Papelbon's status, saying he wouldn't discuss the closer role but that the six-time All-Star insists he's healthy.

Fantasy Fallout: Melancon's value rises with trade

Melancon, an All-Star for the second straight year and third time in four seasons, owns a 1.51 ERA with 30 saves and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings across 45 appearances. An impending free agent, the 31-year-old Melancon led the majors with 51 saves last season.

"I'm excited to go there and be a part of something that looks very opportunistic," Melancon said after Saturday's trade.

Selected in the ninth round of the 2006 draft by the Yankees, Melancon enjoyed a late-career peak after being traded from Boston to Pittsburgh in 2012. Over four seasons with the Pirates, the right-hander pitched to a 1.80 ERA across 267 appearances, and since inheriting the closer's role midway through 2013, Melancon has secured more saves (96) than any reliever in baseball.

Rivero, a 25-year-old left-hander, owns a 4.53 ERA with 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings over 47 appearances with the Nationals. Hearn, meanwhile, the club's 10th-ranked pitching prospect, is a 21-year-old lefty with a 2.79 ERA over 10 minor-league games this season.