The Cincinnati Reds continue to strengthen their roster for the end of the season, finalizing a move involving several teams and players. The Ohio team acquired right-handed pitcher Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade that involved the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the agreement, the Rays received two minor league pitchers from Cincinnati: right-hander Brian Van Belle and left-hander Adam Serwinowski. In turn, Tampa Bay sent Serwinowski, right-handed pitcher Paul Gervase, and catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In exchange, the Rays received catcher Hunter Feduccia from the Dodgers. Littell, 29, has had a season with an 8-8 record and a 3.58 ERA in 22 starts with the Rays. In his last outing, he pitched five scoreless innings against the New York Yankees.
Littell has been a key element in the Rays’ rotation for the last two and a half seasons, after having worked primarily from the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox between 2018 and 2023. Brian Van Belle, 28 years old, has pitched for two Triple-A teams this year, with a combined record of 6-5 and an ERA of 3.40 in 19 games (15 starts). Serwinowski, 21, is 1-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) for Dayton’s High-A team this season. Gervase, 25 years old, debuted in the Major Leagues with Tampa Bay this year, recording no decisions and an ERA of 4.26 in five relief appearances. He went 2-3 with four saves and an ERA of 3.12 for Triple-A Durham. Rortvedt, 27, has experience in the Major Leagues with the Twins, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay. He batted 6-for-63 (.095) with no home runs and six RBIs in 26 games for the Rays in 2025. This move comes after the Reds acquired third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pirates. The deadline for the exchanges is Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.It’s part of the game. The opportunity I had here (with Tampa Bay) has changed and will continue to change my life, so I am extremely grateful.
Zack Littell
