Dodgers make another deal, trade RHP Claudio Vargas to Brewers for minor league catcher

Dodgers trade RHP Claudio Vargas to Brewers

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers reacquired reliever Claudio Vargas from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

The Dodgers got minor league catcher Vinny Rottino in the trade between playoff contenders. The deal was completed hours before baseball’s non-waiver deadline.

The 31-year-old Vargas was 0-0 with a 1.64 ERA in eight games for the NL West-leading Dodgers. The right-hander was on the disabled list for nearly three months because of elbow tendinitis, and was activated July 3.

Vargas went 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA for Milwaukee in 2007 and was released before the start of the 2008 season. He is expected to join the Brewers on Saturday in San Diego.

It was the second deal in two days for the Dodgers, who upgraded their bullpen Thursday by obtaining former All-Star closer George Sherrill from Baltimore for two minor leaguers: third baseman Josh Bell and right-hander Steve Johnson, both of whom were at Double-A Chattanooga.

“We had a roster spot problem a little bit and he wasn’t going to get a chance to pitch here except in mop-up type roles,” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. “And Milwaukee had a need for him and a history with him. So we thought we’d clear up a roster space and give him a chance to pitch some place else and increase his opportunity to contribute.”

Milwaukee entered Friday tied for third in the NL Central, four games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs.

The 29-year-old Rottino has made brief appearances in the majors for Milwaukee each of the past three seasons. He is slated to report to Chattanooga.