Dodgers land Kimbrel from White Sox for Pollock

The Dodgers completed a trade that sends outfielder AJ Pollock to the White Sox in exchange for closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday.

The deal gives Los Angeles a potential ninth-inning replacement for longtime closer Kenley Jansen, who signed a one-year deal with the Braves in March. The White Sox exercised Kimbrel’s $16 million club option for this season, but with All-Star closer Liam Hendriks under contract, the 33-year-old Kimbrel was expendable.

Over 12 seasons, Kimbrel has posted a 2.18 ERA with a 14.7 K/9 and 372 saves. The White Sox acquired him from the Cubs last July for second baseman Nick Madrigal and right-hander Codi Heuer.

Pollock, meanwhile, adds another proven outfielder to the White Sox roster, allowing Eloy Jiménez to spend more time as the designated hitter. The 34-year-old is in the final season of a four-year, $55 million deal, and he has a $10 million club option with a $5 million buyout for 2023.