Philadelphia Phillies ship Antonio Bastardo to Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired reliever Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies. Credit: AP
SAN DIEGO -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league lefty Joely Rodriguez.
The trade was announced Wednesday at the winter meetings.
The 29-year-old Bastardo went 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA this year with the Phillies. He struck out 81 and walked 34 in 64 innings. In six big league seasons -- all with the Phillies -- he is 20-18 with a 3.72 ERA. He has 324 strikeouts in 259 innings.
The Pirates were searching for left-handed bullpen help after sending Justin Wilson to the New York Yankees for catcher Francisco Cervelli last month.
Bastardo made $2 million this year and is the 12th Pirates player that is arbitration eligible. He can be a free agent after next season.
A starter, the 23-year-old Rodriguez pitched at Double-A this season. He was named an Arizona Fall League top prospect Wednesday.
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