Mariners acquire RHP Yimi Garcia from Blue Jays

Field Level Media|published: Fri 26th July, 18:22 2024

Jun 5, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Yimi Garcia (93) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners acquired right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in exchange for outfielder Jonatan Clase and minor league catcher Jacob Sharp.

Garcia, 33, is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 29 games for Toronto this season and has converted 5-of-6 save opportunities. His .152 opponent batting average ranks fifth-best among American League relievers with at least 30 innings, while his 12.69 strikeouts per nine innings are seventh-best.

"Yimi has been one of the best relievers in the American League this year -- dominating the strike zone, missing bats and pitching in high leverage," Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said in a team release. "He has big-game experience and we're excited to add him to our bullpen."

Garcia has pitched in 404 games -- all but one as a reliever -- over 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-19), Miami Marlins (2020-21), Houston Astros (2021) and the Blue Jays. He is 22-29 lifetime with a 3.54 ERA.

Clase, 22, batted .195 with no home runs and three RBIs over 19 games with Seattle this season, his first in the major leagues. He entered this season as the Mariners' No. 10 prospect, per MLBPipeline.com.

Sharp, 22, hit .225 with six home runs and 29 RBIs in 44 games at Class-A Modesto.

--Field Level Media