SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners looked to their past in order to boost their future when their search for depth in their rotation resulted in a trade to reacquire right-hander Erasmo Ramirez from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ramirez returns in a trade that sends veteran reliever Steve Cishek to the Rays.
“Erasmo brings us a good combination of experience, versatility and control as we look to both be better in 2017 and in future seasons,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said Friday.
“We’ve added depth to our pitching staff in a variety of ways and maintained flexibility as we move forward with a player that is under club control for 2017, 2018 and 2019.”
Manager Scott Servais said Ramirez will replace rookie right-hander Andrew Moore in the rotation for Tuesday’s game at Texas. Moore was optioned Friday to Triple-A Tacoma as part of a series of roster moves.
The Mariners also promoted right-handed pitchers Casey Lawrence and Cody Martin from Tacoma before their series opener against the New York Mets at Safeco Field.
“That gives us a couple of extra arms out of the bullpen through the weekend,” Servais said. “I’m not quite sure when Erasmo is going to report.”
Moore’s demotion stems from three straight poor starts since returning from the Rainiers: 14 runs and 21 hits allowed in 15 2/3 innings. He has also given up 11 homers in 36 2/3 innings over his six starts.
“Command,” Servais said. “I think we saw when he first came up, the first couple of outings he was really good. The outing against Detroit, I think, he had 18 out of 18 first-pitch strikes. That is so key for him.
“I’ve said I think he’s going to win a lot of games as a Mariner, and I still believe that. Where we’re at in the playoff situation, and trying to chase a wild-card (spot), we thought it’d be best to let him regroup in Tacoma.”
Previous national reports said the Mariners pursued a trade with Oakland for right-hander Sonny Gray, but club officials characterized that speculation as “nonsense” and said talks never progressed beyond an initial contact.
The Mariners have been busy, though, as the calendar moves toward the non-waiver trade deadline at 1 p.m. Monday. After the deadline, trades can only be made if players clear waivers.
Friday’s deal was the third for the Mariners in nine days.
They acquired right-hander reliever David Phelps on July 20 from Miami for four minor-league players: outfielder Brayan Hernandez and pitchers Pablo Hernandez, Brandon Miller and Lukas Schiraldi.
One day later, the Mariners sent minor-league outfielder Tyler O’Neill to St. Louis for left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales, whom they immediately optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
Club officials indicated Gonzales is likely to be recalled at some point later this season.
The Mariners are also sending $1 million to the Rays as part of Friday’s trade to bridge the gap in salaries for the remainder of the season. Ramirez is making $3.125 million, while Cishek is making $6 million.
Ramirez, 27, spent seven years in the Mariners’ organization before a March 31, 2015 trade sent him to Tampa Bay for left-hander Mike Montgomery. Ramirez is 4-3 with a 4.23 ERA this season in 26 games, including eight starts.
Cishek, 31, is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 23 games as a setup reliever but became expendable after the Mariners acquired Phelps. Cishek will also be a free agent after the season.
Ramirez is 29-32 with a 4.23 ERA in 171 games, including 71 starts, over six big-league seasons. He was 7-12 with a 4.62 ERA in 47 games, including 35 starts, for the Mariners from 2012-14.
“He’s versatile,” Servais said. “He can step in and start for you. He can pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen. He should fit in very well with our club.”
The Mariners signed Cishek on Dec. 14, 2015 to serve as their closer, and he had 25 saves last season before a torn labrum in his left hip forced him to the disabled list. Edwin Diaz replaced Cishek at that point as the club’s closer.
“Steve busted his butt to get back to us this year (after hip surgery),” Servais said, “and he was actually throwing the ball very well. It’s more (a matter) of how it fits on our roster right now.
“We just thought the versatility that Erasmo brings is pretty important for us.”
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