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Reds Trade Kearns to Get Bullpen Help

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From the Associated Press

The Cincinnati Reds overhauled their struggling bullpen on Thursday, getting Gary Majewski and Bill Bray in an eight-player trade that sent outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Washington Nationals.

“We paid a steep price,” Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky said. “I’m sure this will be a controversial trade. I know a lot of people will be leaving nasty messages on my voicemail, and I’ll have some who think it’s great.”

Besides right-hander Majewski and left-hander Bray, the Reds acquired shortstop Royce Clayton, infielder Brendan Harris and pitching prospect Daryl Thompson. Clayton, 36, will take over at short for Lopez, who made his first All-Star team last year.

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Cincinnati’s bullpen has hurt the team the last two months, giving up the most homers in the majors. The Reds came out of the All-Star break at 45-44, trailing St. Louis by four games in the Central Division.

The Reds also gave up reliever Ryan Wagner, a first-round draft pick in 2003. Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden acquired all three players when he ran the Reds.

The Reds have had five consecutive losing seasons, their worst slump in 50 years. Piece by piece, Krivsky has overhauled the roster since being hired in February.

A week ago, the Reds sent a minor leaguer to Seattle for Eddie Guardado, a former All-Star closer who moves back into the role in Cincinnati.

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San Diego reliever Doug Brocail was activated from the disabled list, a little over four months after undergoing the first of two heart angioplasties during the spring.

The right-hander will be available in the bullpen starting tonight against the Atlanta Braves as the Padres, who lead the West Division, open their second half.

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To make room on the roster, pitcher Scott Cassidy was optioned to triple-A Portland.

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