Bullpen swap: Blue Jays send Storen to Mariners for Benoit
TORONTO (AP) Looking to better their bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays have acquired Joaquin Benoit from the Seattle Mariners for fellow right-hander Drew Storen and cash in a swap of struggling relievers.
The busy Blue Jays announced the trade Tuesday night, minutes after rallying to beat San Diego 7-6 in 12 innings. It was their second deal of the day: Hours earlier, Toronto obtained outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. and cash from the Padres for minor league right-hander Hansel Rodriguez.
Benoit, who turned 39 on Tuesday, is 1-1 with a 5.18 ERA in 26 games this season.
The 28-year-old Storen was designated for assignment Sunday by Toronto after going 1-3 with three saves and a 6.21 ERA in 38 appearances.
Toronto is two games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East and holds the league's top wild-card spot.