Littell, Gervase and Rortvedt Part of Three-Team Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays announced a three-team trade on Thursday, involving several current and former Durham Bulls players. Right-hander Zack Littell was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds, while right-hander Paul Gervase and catcher Ben Rortvedt are headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In exchange, the Rays have acquired catcher Hunter Feduccia and right-hander Brian Van Belle.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR MLB HOME RUN DERBY X AT THE DBAP

Littell in 22 starts with the Rays this year has compiled an 8-8 record and 3.58 ERA (133.1 IP), adding 21 walks and 89 strikeouts. He appeared in three games with the Bulls during the 2023 campaign as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment, posting an 0-1 record and 18.00 ERA (2.0 IP). adding four walks and one strikeout. The 29-year-old was acquired off waivers from the Boston Red Sox by the Rays on May 12, 2023. Across eight Major League seasons, Littell has combined for a 32-29 record and 3.83 ERA (549.1 IP) in 224 appearances (69 starts), adding 124 walks and 455 strikeouts.

Gervase began the 2025 season with Durham, accumulating a 2-3 record and 3.12 ERA (40.1 IP) with four saves in 28 appearances, adding 12 walks and 63 strikeouts. The Triangle native made his Major League debut with the Rays on June 21 and in five MLB outings tallied no record and 4.26 ERA (6.1 IP), adding five walks and six strikeouts in his two stints with Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old was acquired by the Rays in in a July 30, 2024 trade from the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Tyler Zuber, and was selected by the Mets in the 12th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University.

Rortvedt started the 2025 campaign with Tampa Bay, batting .095 (6-63) with two runs, one double and six RBI in 26 contests. After being optioned to Durham he compiled a .183 clip (11-60), adding nine runs, three doubles, one homer and five RBI across 19 games. The 27-year-old was acquired by the Rays from the New York Yankees in a March 27, 2024 trade. In his 209 career Major League contests he owns a .186 average (95-510) with 43 runs, 16 doubles, eight homers and 48 RBI. He was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Verona Area High School in Verona, Wisconsin.

Feduccia has spent a large majority of the 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a .290 average (80-276) with 55 runs, 14 doubles, four triples, nine homers and 52 RBI along with a .399 OBP and .866 OPS. He has also appeared in two games with the Dodgers, going hitless in two at-bats while drawing a walk. Last season in five contests with Los Angeles he accumulated a .333 average (4-12) with two runs and one RBI. The 28-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University.

Van Belle began the 2025 season in the Red Sox organization, posting a 5-1 record and 2.29 ERA (51.0 IP) with seven walks and 41 strikeouts over 12 appearances (eight starts) with Triple-A Worcester. After being acquired by Cincinnati in a June 14 trade in exchange for cash considerations, Van Belle recorded a 1-4 mark and 4.95 ERA (36.1 IP) in seven starts with Triple-A Louisville, adding eight walks and 31 strikeouts. Over 122 career minor league outings he has posted a 38-23 record and 4.44 ERA (538.2 IP), adding 128 walks and 510 strikeouts. The 28-year-old was signed by Boston as a non-drafted free agent on June 16, 2020 out of the University of Miami.

After evening the series last night with their 8-1 road victory over the Gwinnett Stripers, Durham is set to continue their six-game set this evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

Following their 12-game road trip, the Bulls return home to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, August 12 to begin a six-game series versus the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm. Tickets for that game and all remaining 2025 Bulls home games can be purchased by clicking here.