The Cleveland Guardians acquired left-hander Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals for pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchell, the teams announced Monday.
Cleveland also announced that it landed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Alejandro Rivera.
Griffin heads to Cleveland amid a resurgent campaign. He's posted a 12-3 record with a 3.06 ERA after spending three seasons in Japan. The southpaw has walked just 30 hitters in 129 1/3 innings this season while utilizing a four-seam fastball that ranks in the 93rd percentile in run value.
The 30-year-old made his first All-Star team after signing a one-year, $5.5-million contract with the Nationals last December.
Lowe will provide some much-needed punch for a Guardians lineup that ranks 29th in the majors in runs scored. The 31-year-old is hitting .266/.341/.480 with 12 home runs, 17 doubles, and 37 RBIs in 83 games this season.
Cleveland also added outfielder Jo Adell from the Angels earlier Monday and traded for right-hander Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins on Saturday.
To make roster room for the acquisitions, the Guardians optioned first baseman Kyle Manzardo and designated hitter David Fry to Triple-A.
