Relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes made 36 appearances for the Seattle Mariners this season. (Elaine Thompson/Associated Press)The Florida Marlins have moved to strengthen their bullpen for the stretch run by acquiring Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Gaby Hernandez.
Rhodes, 38, has posted a 2-1 record with 26 strikeouts and a 2.86 earned-run average in 22 innings of work with the Mariners this season.
The lefty is expected to provide some veteran presence for a young Marlins team that finds itself in the thick of both the National League East and wild-card races.
Rhodes underwent surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow (also known as Tommy John surgery) in May 2007 and it was believed that his career could be over.
But he defied expectations when he came back ahead of schedule in mid-April and pitched effectively as the team's go-to lefty setup man.
The Mariners (40-67) have struggled to the worst record in the American League this season, which has created few opportunities for saves and resulted in only situational appearances for Rhodes.
Hernandez, 21, went a combined 5-8 with a 6.47 ERA in 17 starts for triple-A Albuquerque and double-A Carolina this season.
With files from the Associated Press
