Brewers and Dodgers hilariously swing minor trade while playing each other

Around the MLB Trade Deadline, there are occasionally some awkward yet comical moments when a player is traded between two teams that are playing each other, and they essentially walk from one dugout to the other. Just moments before the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers began their series finale on Wednesday afternoon, a similar moment transpired.

As initially reported by MLB.com's Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy, the Brewers have acquired 26-year-old outfielder Steward Berroa from the Dodgers in exchange for cash.

The Dodgers' president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, and the Brewers' senior vice president and general manager, Matt Arnold, worked together in the Tampa Bay Rays organization prior to them joining their current organizations. Perhaps the old friends were out to dinner last night or watching last night's game together and talking about the different assets that each of their respective organizations has, and that led to today's trade.

Berroa won't get to do the ceremonial walk between dugouts, as he is not currently with the Dodgers' major league club. Berroa had most recently been playing for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets, before being placed on the minor league IL with a right shoulder injury. However, last Thursday, the Dodgers designated Berroa for assignment, and just under a week later, they've found a trade partner.

The 26-year-old switch-hitting outfielder has just 28 games of MLB experience, which came with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024. While he slashed an interesting .189/.333/.216, there are some things to like about Berroa's profile. First, as evidenced by his .333 on-base percentage, Berroa has great plate discipline; he doesn't chase much and knows how to draw a walk. Second, he's an excellent defender, collecting three Outs Above Average (OAA) during his brief MLB stint last year. Finally, like most of the Brewers' roster, Berroa is fast, ranking in the 89th percentile in sprint speed in 2024, according to Baseball Savant.

When he returns from injury, Berroa will join Drew Avans, Daz Cameron, Jimmy Heron, and Jared Oliva as outfield depth options in Triple-A. With Blake Perkins returning from injury at some point in the next month, the path back to the big leagues with the Brewers won't be easy for Berroa.

Brewers acquire minor league outfielder Steward Berroa from Dodgers, designate Elvin Rodríguez for assignment

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Brewers have designated their home Opening Day starter, Elvin Rodríguez, for assignment. Rodríguez, who the Brewers signed this past offseason after he spent 2024 with the Yakult Swallows of NPB in Japan, hasn't pitched in a major league game since May 7.

Rodríguez's time in the big leagues in 2025 hasn't gone smoothly. He's made six appearances, two as a starting pitcher, and posted an 8.68 ERA. Down in Triple-A, Rodríguez's numbers look better, but still not too encouraging. His 4.25 ERA with fewer strikeouts than innings pitched doesn’t inspire confidence that he will impact the big league club anytime soon.

Rodríguez will now head to waivers, where his potential, particularly his unique fastball shape, could garner some interest. If he goes unclaimed, it's likely that the Brewers will keep him around as an innings eater in Triple-A, who can both start games and cover multiple innings out of the bullpen.