Phillies trade Biddle to Pirates for Medina

The Philadelphia Phillies have traded left-hander Jesse Biddle to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-hander Yoervis Medina.

Biddle, a former first-round pick and top-100 prospect, was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Friday after the club claimed left-hander Bobby LaFromboise.

The 24-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in October and is expected to miss the entire 2016 season. Biddle has never appeared in the big leagues, posting a 3.82 ERA in 132 minor-league starts, while struggling with his command, walking 4.4 hitters per nine innings.

Medina, 27, has big-league experience, having appeared in 146 games across three seasons.

The Venezuelan was once a solid member of the Seattle Mariners bullpen, posting a 2.68 ERA across 66 appearances in 2014.

Pittsburgh designated the righty for assignment on Jan. 19 after claiming pitcher A.J. Schugel off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.