Dodgers strike deals for RHP Madson, 3B Freese

The Los Angeles Dodgers beefed up their roster for a postseason run, acquiring right-handed reliever Ryan Madson from the Washington Nationals and third baseman David Freese from the Pittsburgh Pirates in separate deals Friday.

The move for Freese came just before the midnight ET deadline for players to be on a team's 40-man roster and have postseason eligibility. With a win over the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, the Dodgers are one game back in the National League West and 2 1/2 back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the second NL wild card.

In exchange for Madson, the Nationals received minor league right-hander Andrew Istler. Minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez was sent to Pittsburgh in the Freese deal.

Madson, a 13-year veteran, struggled this season for the Nationals. He was 2-5 with a 5.28 ERA and four saves in 49 games and just returned from a stint on the disabled list earlier this week. He had been sidelined due to back discomfort.

For his career, the 38-year-old is 61-48 with a 3.45 ERA and 91 saves.

Madson is in the final year of a three-year, $22 million contract and will be a free agent after this season.

Istler, 25, is 4-4 with two saves and a 2.37 ERA in 41 appearances (one start) across three minor league levels this season.

Freese is the third infielder the Dodgers have acquired since July, joining the second baseman Brian Dozier and shortstop Manny Machado.

The 35-year-old former World Series MVP will serve as depth and an occasional right-handed-hitting complement to Cody Bellinger at first base with Los Angeles. Freese hit .282 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 94 games with the Pirates this season.

The Dodgers will hold a $6 million club option for 2019 on Freese, who is a career .274 hitter over 10 major league seasons.

"We made the difficult decision to trade David to give him an opportunity to pursue a World Series Championship this season," said Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington in a team release. "We truly appreciate all that David has contributed to the Pirates these three seasons and wish him well.

"This move will free up valuable playing time for some of our younger players while clearing some salary. We are also pleased to add a player with interesting power, athleticism and defensive versatility to our system in Valdez."

Valdez, 20, hit .230 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 60 games for the Dominican Summer League Dodgers.

To make room for Freese and Madson on their 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated left-hander Adam Liberatore for assignment and transferred right-hander Erik Goeddel to the 60-day disabled list (right elbow inflammation).

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