Mariners acquire reliever Harper from Braves

The Mariners Friday acquired RHP Ryne Harper from Atlanta as the player to be named later in the Dec. 4 trade of RHP Jose Ramirez to the Braves. Harper, 26, went 0-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 23 games with AA Mississippi last year, and will be assigned to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers.

Harper struck out 40 batters in 33.2 innings while walking only 11. He made 172 appearances in his minor league career, all in relief. Since debuting in 2011, Harper is 20-12 with a 2.16 ERA with 20 career saves. He struck out 317, while walking 79, in 267 innings. He’s struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings pitched, while walking  2.7.

Harper was selected by the Braves in the 37^th round of the 2011 draft out of Austin Peay State.

Since Harper will start his Mariners’ career with the Rainiers, the club’s 40-man major league roster remains unchanged.