The Mariners Thursday acquired RHP David Phelps, 30, from the Miami Marlins for four prospects, the top one being Brayan Hernandez, a 19-year-old outfielder from Venezuela who has split this season between A Everett of the Northwest League and AAA Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.
“David was a target player for us headed into the (trade) deadline period,” said GM Jerry Dipoto. “The quality of his work, particularly over the past two years in the bullpen, in addition to his versatility, including his background as starter, made him very attractive to us. He fits our roster very well and is controllable through the 2018 season.”
Phelps had an outstanding 2016, posting a 2.28 ERA in 64 games while striking out 11.8 batters per nine innings. He has not approached those numbers this season, but has a 3.45 ERA in 44 games while fanning 51 batters and walking 21 in 47 innings. Phelps throws in the mid-90s and induces grounders.
A native of St. Louis, Phelps was selected by the New York Yankees in the 14th round of the 2008 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 and spent two seasons with New York before the Yankees traded him to Miami in 2014 as part of a multi-player package. Phelps was a starter for his first four MLB seasons, then became a reliever last year.
In six seasons, he has a record of 28-32 with a 3.90 ERA in 218 games.
The Mariners signed Hernandez as an international free agent July 27, 2014. In three seasons with the Seattle organization, he hit .259 with 84 runs scored and 35 stolen bases.
In addition to Hernandez, the Mariners also sent minor league RHPs Pablo Lopez, Brandon Miller and Lukas Schiraldi to the Marlins.
Lopez, 21, was 5-8 with a 5.04 ERA in 19 games with High-A Modesto this season. He limited opponents to a .279 average. The Mariners signed Lopez as an international free agent July 4, 2012.
Miller, 22, was 9-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 18 starts with Low-A Clinton this year. Miller was selected by Seattle in the sixth round of the 2016 draft out of Millersville (PA.) University.
Schiraldi was 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA and three saves in 28 relief appearances with High-A Modesto. The Mariners selected him in the 15th round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Texas.
The Mariners (48-48) are coming off a 5-1 road trip through Chicago and Houston and begin a four-game set with the Yankees at 7:10 p.m. Thursday at Safeco Field. RHP Felix Hernandez (5-3, 4.20) will throw for Seattle opposite RHP Luis Severino (5-4, 3.40).
