Braves trade lefty Andrew Albers to Mariners for cash considerations
One of the most effective pitchers in the Braves farm system this year is now on the move as Atlanta sent left-hander Andrew Albers to the Mariners on Friday night for cash considerations.
Albers, 31, appeared to be vying for a call-up to Atlanta in posting a 2.61 ERA for Triple-A Gwinnett -- third-best in the International League -- with a 1.15 WHIP (sixth in IL) and 12-3 record over 120 2/3 innings (26 games and 17 starts). He also has 115 strikeouts to 19 walks.
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A Saskatchewan native, he'd signed a free-agent deal with the Braves in the winter after spending last season with the Twins. He's appeared in 17 games at the MLB level with a 4.41 ERA.
While Albers is expected to initially report to the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma, he could get an opportunity to pitch in Seattle soon enough. The Mariners have been hit hard by injury to their rotation with James Paxton placed on the 10-day disabled list with a pectoral injury and ace Felix Hernandez is already out with right shoulder bursitis. The latter could miss up to four weeks.
Despite being13 games behind the Astros in the American League West, Seattle is tied for the second wild-card spot with the Rays at 59-57.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney and Facebook. His books, 'Tales from the Atlanta Braves Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Braves Stories Ever Told,' and 'The Heisman Trophy: The Story of an American Icon and Its Winners.' are now available.
