Mariners get OF Alberto Rodríguez to complete Taijuan Walker trade
Sep 1, 2020, 1:34 PM | Updated: 6:11 pm
The Mariners’ trade last week that sent Taijuan Walker to the Toronto Blue Jays was completed Tuesday with minor league outfielder Alberto Rodríguez acquired by Seattle as the player to be named later.
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Rodríguez, who will turn 20 years old next month, has played two seasons in the Blue Jays’ organization after signing as an international free agent out of Cotuí, Dominican Republic in 2017.
Over 108 games split between the Dominican Summer League and the Gulf Coast League the past two years, Rodríguez has a .274/.356/.392 slash line (.747 OPS). He was a 2019 GCL Postseason All-Star for posting a .301 average with two home runs, 13 doubles, one triple, 19 walks, 29 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 47 games.
Among GCL players in 2019, Rodríguez ranked third in hits (52), tied for fourth in doubles, was seventh in RBIs, tied for seventh in total bases (73) and stolen bases, was eighth in batting average (.301) and 15th in OPS (.786).
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Rodríguez has played 100 of his 101 defensive appearances in right field, making one additional appearance in center field.
Walker has made one start since joining the Blue Jays, throwing six scoreless innings to earn the win against Baltimore last Saturday, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out four. In six starts total this year, the 28-year-old right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 29 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Despite the trade, it would not be a surprise if the Mariners looked into signing Walker again when he becomes a free agent after the season.
The Mariners made a number of transactions Tuesday, including claiming pitcher Walker Lockett off waivers from the New York Mets and the following roster moves after a pair of trades with the San Diego Padres in recent days:
• IF Ty France (acquired Sunday via trade) added to active roster.
• C Luis Torrens (acquired Sunday via trade) added to active roster.
• RHP Kendall Graveman reinstated from 10-day injured list.
• C Joe Hudson optioned to alternate training site.
• IF Donovan Walton optioned to alternate training site.
• OF Braden Bishop optioned to alternate training site.
• RHP Zac Grotz outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.
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