Durán to Phillies and twin pitchers dealt on same day. Big names remain as MLB trade deadline looms

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired hard-throwing reliever Jhoan Durán, and identical twin relievers Tyler and Taylor Rogers got dealt on the same day, signaling that teams are willing to pay a hefty price for bullpen help as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches Thursday.

The 27-year-old Durán is arguably the best player to switch teams over the past few days. He has a 2.01 ERA and 16 saves this season, striking out 53 over 49 1/3 innings for the Minnesota Twins. The Phillies gave up two top prospects: catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel.

Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley are headed to the New York Mets, who are fighting for first place in the NL East with the Phillies. The accomplished relievers join Edwin Díaz in the bullpen to give the Mets multiple late-inning options.

The durable Rogers — who has a distinctive submarine delivery — has made 53 appearances this season with a 1.80 ERA, four walks and 38 strikeouts for the San Francisco Giants. The Mets sent the Giants right-handers José Buttó and Blade Tidwell, along with outfielder Drew Gilbert.

Helsley has a 3.00 ERA, 21 saves and 41 strikeouts over 36 innings this year for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he has spent the past seven seasons. New York dealt St. Louis three minor leaguers, including infielder Jesus Baez and right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.

Many of the trade deadline’s biggest prizes remained on the market, setting up a potentially fascinating 24 hours.

Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez, Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller and Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan were among the potential season-altering additions that teams were pursuing ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

Also Wednesday, the New York Yankees added veteran outfielder Austin Slater. The 32-year-old Slater gives the Yankees a dependable right-handed batter for the final two months of the season. He’s hit .236 with five homers and 11 RBIs in 51 games with the White Sox this season and has an .859 OPS against left-handed pitching.

“Really excited about the move,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Talked about it over the recent weeks — just getting more roster flexibility, complementary guys.”

The White Sox acquired minor league pitching prospect Gage Ziehl in the trade.

Suárez returned to the Diamondbacks’ lineup Wednesday and went 1 for 4, two days after an injury scare. The slugger — who has 36 homers this season — was hit on the right index finger by a pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Monday.

The D-backs have turned into sellers at the deadline after dropping eight of their last nine games and falling to 51-58. Right-handed pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen are among the other Arizona players who could be dealt.

In other moves on Wednesday:

— The Los Angeles Angels acquired relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Washington Nationals for left-hander Jake Eder and minor league first baseman Sam Brown.

— The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Austin Smith.