Nationals Acquire Lefty Reliever Rzepczynski From Athletics
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Nationals have acquired left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski from the Oakland Athletics for minor league infielder Max Schrock.
The A's also sent cash to the Nationals as part of the trade announced Thursday: $500,000 to be paid on Sept. 30.
Rzepczynski gives Washington another lefty out of the bullpen since trading Felipe Rivero to Pittsburgh and putting Sammy Solis on the disabled list. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 56 appearances this season for Oakland.
The 32-year-old joins the sixth team of his major league career. He pitched in the postseason from 2011-2013, winning the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Rzepczynski has pitched well against lefties most of his career but has struggled against them this season and has been better against righties. His 70.5 percent ground-ball rate this season is second best in the majors behind Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton, a potential Cy Young candidate whose streak of 43 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run was snapped Wednesday by the Nationals.
It was not clear if Rzepczynski would be available for Washington's game Thursday night against the Orioles.
The 21-year-old Schrock was a 13th-round pick in 2015.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.