Jays Trade Plesac To Arizona

Dan Plesac, having the worst season of his 13-year career, was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to Arizona on Saturday for shortstop Tony Batista and right-hander John Frascatore.

Plesac, 37, who ranks 25th in major league history with 788 appearances, was 0-3 with an 8.34 ERA in 30 games for the Blue Jays. He allowed a run in one inning Friday against Philadelphia after entering Toronto's game against the Mets in the 14th inning Wednesday and giving up a game-winning single to Rey Ordonez.

The left-hander appeared in a career-high 78 games in 1998, his third consecutive season with 70 or more games. Plesac is 153-for-216 in career save situations (.708).

The Blue Jays announced the deal shortly before their game Saturday night against the Phillies.

Batista, whose emergence had led the Diamondbacks to move Jay Bell from shortstop to second base late last season, was batting .257 with five homers and 21 RBIs.

Frascatore was 1-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 relief appearances for Arizona, which was willing to part with a young talent like Batista because of a desperate need for a left-hander in the bullpen.

©1999 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed