Mariners trade Erasmo Ramirez, get left-hander with option in return

The Mariners swapped one pitcher for another on Tuesday, trading Erasmo Ramirez to Tampa Bay for left-hander Mike Montgomery.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Mar 31, 2015, 9:11 PM Updated: 9:39 pm

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Erasmo Ramirez was the odd man out after losing the competition for the fifth starter spot. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – The chances of Erasmo Ramirez being on the Mariners’ Opening Day roster just went from slim to none. The team announced Tuesday night that Ramirez had been traded to Tampa Bay for left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery.

Ramirez was out of options and would have had to clear waivers before the Mariners would be able to send him to the minor leagues. Instead of losing Ramirez on waivers, the Mariners were able to work out a trade that brings back a pitcher who can be sent to the minors as he has one option remaining.

Montgomery, 25, was drafted by Kansas City and sent to Tampa as part of the seven-player trade involving James Shields, Wil Myers and Wade Davis. He has yet to pitch in the big leagues and has been a starter in the minor leagues. Last year at Triple-A Durham he put up a 4.29 ERA in 25 starts and was named a mid-season All Star. Interestingly enough, he has been voted by Baseball America as having the best changeup in his organization (Tampa and Kansas City) each of the last four seasons.

He made six relief appearances this spring for the Rays, allowing just three earned runs in 11.1 innings pitched with nine strikeouts and two walks.

With Ramirez traded, the Mariners are now left with five starters in camp. In other words, manager Lloyd McClendon can finally announce his rotation.