Nationals acquire pitcher Jimmy Cordero from Phillies

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cordero, 25, is 10-12 with a 3.80 ERA over the course of his five-year Minor League career. Originally signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays, Cordero has worked almost exclusively as a reliever during his professional career, starting just five of his 115 Minor League appearances. Acquired by Philadelphia at the 2015 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent outfielder Ben Revere to the Blue Jays, Cordero has excelled at Double-A - working to a 2.80 ERA in 54.2 innings of work with two saves at the advanced level. Cordero has appeared in just one game above Double-A, a 1.1-inning outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season. A hard-throwing right-hander, Cordero has done well to limit home runs during his professional career, allowing just 10 in his five Minor League seasons. With 166 strikeouts in 170.1 innings of work, Cordero has struck out 8.8 batters per nine innings during his Minor League career and worked to a 2.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. A native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Cordero was designated for assignment by Philadelphia on Nov. 18. With the acquisition of Cordero, the Nationals currently have 38 players on their 40-man roster.