By John Nadel
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES ó Greg Maddux is back in Los Angeles for another stretch drive.
The Dodgers announced Tuesday that they have reacquired Maddux and received cash from San Diego. The Padres will get two minor league players to be named or cash.
The 42-year-old first came to the Dodgers late in the 2006 season, when he went 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts to help them win a wild-card berth.
This time, Los Angeles is dueling Arizona for the NL West lead.
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who put together the trade that sent Cesar Izturis to the Chicago Cubs and brought Maddux to Los Angeles on July 31, 2006, obviously was pleased to have the right-hander back.
“It’s very rare that you get the opportunity to add a pitcher like Greg even one time, let alone twice,” Colletti said in a statement. “He’s one of the greatest pitchers of all time and we’ve already seen what he can add to a team both on the field and in the clubhouse.”
Maddux is 6-9 with a 3.99 ERA this season, and has 353 career wins. His record with last-place San Diego this season includes 11 no-decisions.
He had indicated to the Padres before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline that he wanted to rejoin the Dodgers, but Los Angeles was unable to reach a deal then.
Maddux, who has a home south of Los Angeles in Orange County, had to waive the no-trade clause in his contract for the new deal to go through. His salary with San Diego this year was $10 million.
He will replace Brad Penny, who went on the disabled list with a shoulder injury last Thursday, in the Dodgers’ rotation. Maddux will probably make seven or eight starts.
He becomes the latest addition to the much-improved Dodgers, bolstered by the acquisition of Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake over the past month.
Los Angeles has been below .500 much of the season, but remained in contention in baseball’s weakest division. Winners of six of their last seven as they headed into Tuesday night’s game against Colorado, the Dodgers have improved to 64-60 and were tied with the Diamondbacks atop the West.