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Alden Gonzalez
The Seattle Mariners, in the hunt for late-game bullpen assist, finalized a deal to accumulate lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
In trade for Ferguson, a pending free agent, the Pirates acquired 19-year-old minor league right-hander Jeter Martinez.
Ferguson, 29, posted a 3.74 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 45 appearances for the Pirates, placing out 34 batters and issuing 14 walks in 43 1/3 innings. Opposing left-handed hitters had been slashing simply .167/.257/.182 towards him this season.
Primarily a floor ball pitcher, Ferguson has put up a 3.55 ERA in 212 appearances with the Dodgers, Astros, Yankees and Pirates since coming back from a second Tommy John surgical procedure in 2022. The Mariners pays him the pro-rated portion of his $3 million wage for 2025, then slot him into the again finish of a bullpen that includes Matt Brash and Andres Munoz.
“We’re excited so as to add Caleb and fortify our bullpen down the stretch,” Mariners govt vp and common supervisor Justin Hollander mentioned in an announcement. “He is been one of the dependable left-handed relievers within the recreation and provides postseason expertise to our group.”
The Mariners, who’re chasing the Astros within the American League West and are in place for the third and last AL wild-card spot, beforehand traded for first baseman Josh Naylor and are nonetheless wanting so as to add one other late-game reliever and a 3rd baseman.
Martinez, initially signed out of Mexico, is listed at 6-foot-4 and had a 6.18 ERA in 16 begins for the Mariners’ Class A affiliate.
The Mariners additionally designated right-hander Collin Snider for project after reinstating him from the 15-day injured checklist.
The Related Press contributed to this report.