Steven

Hajjar

Hajjar is being send to the Reds as the player-to-be-named to complete the February deal that brought Will Benson to the Reds. It’s the second time that the 22-year-old southpaw has been traded in the past calendar year. Hajjar posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and an 83/32 K/BB ratio over three minor league levels for the Twins and Reds in 2022.

Passan adds that the Reds will be receiving prospects Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Steve Hajjar in the deal. Mahle will bolster the back-end of the Twins’ injury-depleted starting rotation as they make a push in the AL Central. The 27-year-old workhorse has allowed just five runs with 12 strikeouts and three walks over 12 innings (two starts) since returning from the injured list back on July 24.

Hajjar was the Twins’ second-round pick last year, and he had a 2.47 ERA and a 71/22 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings for low-A Fort Myers this season. There’s hope for him as a future No. 4 starter.