Blue Jays trade Tellez to Brewers for Richards
The Toronto Blue Jays traded first baseman Rowdy Tellez to the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander Trevor Richards and minor-league pitcher Bowden Francis, the team announced Tuesday.
Tellez, 26, hasn't played in the majors since June 18 after struggling to a .209/.272/.338 slash line with four homers in 50 games.
The left-handed-hitting infielder hit 21 home runs for Toronto in 2019 and has posted a slugging percentage of .540 or higher in two of his four seasons.
Tellez should provide the Brewers with first-base depth behind starter Keston Hiura and get the reps usually assigned to Daniel Vogelbach, who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
#Brewers president David Stearns said Rowdy Tellez will join team tomorrow. He also said Keston Hiura will stay on team and continue to get ABs as well. Said one of benefits of acquiring Tellez is still has options.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) July 6, 2021
Richards, 28, owns a 3.69 ERA and 3.76 FIP with 41 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings for the Brewers and Rays this season. He's held left-handed hitters to a .497 OPS in 2021. Milwaukee acquired Richards from Tampa Bay on May 21.
The Illinois native is the third reliever acquired by the Blue Jays in less than a month, joining Jacob Barnes and Adam Cimber.
Francis, 25, owns a 7-3 record with a 3.62 ERA in 11 minor-league starts across two levels this season. The Brewers selected him in the seventh round of the 2017 draft.