The Atlanta Braves traded relievers Arodys Vizcaino and Jesse Biddle to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Anthony Swarzak and cash, the team announced Monday.
The Braves designated Biddle for assignment on May 15 after the lefty went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 15 games. Biddle had struggled with his command, which included a pair of bases-loaded walks before a stint on the injured list. He allowed three runs in 1/3 an inning in his return, resulting in his designation a day later.
Vizcaino allowed one run in 4.0 innings over four games before undergoing right shoulder surgery last month. He split closer duties for the team a season ago, but recurring injuries plagued his Braves career.
Credit: Logan Riely
Credit: Logan Riely
Swarzak, 33, is 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA, three saves, and six home runs allowed in 15 games out of the Mariners bullpen this season, his first with the club. He has, however, only allowed more than one run in one of his outings. Nine of his appearances were scoreless.
"He's had success, he's a major league reliever with experience," manager Brian Snitker said. "I look at him in the same way as when (Kevin) Gausman came (via trade last July). Maybe we get him in our system and some of the things they get on these pitchers nowadays, the TrackMan, things like that, maybe we can figure something out or have something to help him maximize what he's got going on."
The 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher joined the Mariners in a seven-player trade that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the Mets last December. He signed a two-year, $14-million contract with New York before the 2018 season. He will wear No. 38 for Atlanta.
Swarzak has spent 10 seasons in the majors with Minnesota (2009, 2011-14), Cleveland (2015), N.Y. Yankees (2016), Chicago White Sox (2017), Milwaukee (2017), and New York Mets (2018). He also has pitched in Korea.
“I think he’ll be good to add in the mix down there,” Snitker said.
