The following press release comes from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Phillies trade Antonio Bastardo to Pirates
The Phillies have traded left-handed pitcher Antonio Bastardo to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league left-hander Joely Rodriguez, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.
Bastardo, 29, appeared in 67 games for the Phillies last season, going 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA as he finished tied for 10th place among all National League relievers in strikeouts (81) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (11.39). Over his final 13 appearances for the Phillies, Bastardo held opponents to just three hits in 37 at-bats. Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent on February 17, 2005, Bastardo has spent his entire major league career with the team, going 20-18 with a 3.72 ERA and 11 saves in 22 opportunities.
Rodriguez went 6-11 with a 4.84 ERA in 30 games (21 starts) for double-A Altoona last season. Recently named to the 2014 Arizona Fall League Top Prospects Team, Rodriguez went 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA in seven starts for Scottsdale as he allowed a total of two earned runs over his first six games. The 23-year-old native of the Dominican Republic was originally signed by Pittsburgh in 2009 as an amateur free agent.
The following comes from the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired left-handed pitcher Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league pitcher Joely Rodriguez. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
The 29-year-old Bastardo went 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA (64.0ip/28er) while making a career high 67 appearances (67) and matching his career high in strikeouts (81) with the Phillies last season. He finished tied for 10th among National League relievers in strikeouts and tied for the fourth-most along with Pittsburgh’s Tony Watson among all National League left-handed relievers, trailing only Aroldis Chapman (106), Jake Diekman (100) and Will Smith (86).
Bastardo did not allow a run in 12 of his final 13 appearances (11.2ip/1er) in 2014, while also limiting opposing hitters to just three hits in 37 at bats (.081 average) during that stretch.
In 2013, Bastardo finished third among all relievers in the Majors with 14.02 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched, trailing only Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel (16.66) and Cincinnati’s Aroldis Chapman (15.32). He also ranks third among all National League left-handed relievers in strikeouts (209) since 2012, trailing only Aroldis Chapman (340) and Rex Brothers (214). Pirates southpaw Tony Watson ranks fourth in that time with 188 punchouts.
Since making his Major League debut with Philadelphia in 2009, Bastardo has posted a career record of 20-18, 11 saves, a 3.72 ERA (259.0ip/107er) and 324 strikeouts in 275 games (five starts).
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