The Seattle Mariners bolstered their bullpen acquiring right-hander Yimi García from Toronto on Friday in a deal that sent top prospect Jonatan Clase to the Blue Jays. Just hours after Seattle acquired Randy Arozarena from Tampa Bay, the Mariners added another arm to their bullpen. Both players could be with the team in time for Saturday's game in Chicago against the White Sox.
“When they get here, hopefully will give us a shot in the arm," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. García said he was ready for the trade, saying “everything is packed already,” but had mixed emotions leaving Toronto. “I’m happy that I’m going to the Mariners, or course.
They’re contending right now,” García said through an interpreter. García has appeared in 29 games and has a 2.70 ERA with 42 strikeouts and just eight walks.
He missed about a month due to a nerve issue in his elbow but returned to the Blue Jays bullpen following the All-Star break. A year ago, García made a career-high 73 appearances for the Blue Jays. García will be slotted into a bullpen that has been short-handed from the start of the season.
“We’ve just got to find the right pocket for him,” Servais said. “He can take on a number of different roles. He’s done that in the bullpen and he’s got good stuff.
You can see him pitch at the end of the game on certain nights. You can see him pitch in the eighth, seventh, wherever. That’s just how we run our bullpen.
” Matt Brash never pitched for.