Rays bolster bullpen by adding Cishek

NEW YORK -- The Rays continued to wheel and deal on Friday, trading right-hander Erasmo Ramírez to the Mariners for right-handed reliever Steve Cishek.
In addition, the Rays made a series of roster moves in advance of Friday night's game against the Yankees in New York. The Rays recalled right-handed pitcher Austin Pruitt from Triple-A Durham, added first baseman Lucas Duda (acquired Thursday from the Mets) to the active roster and optioned right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge to Durham. The Rays then optioned reliever Adam Kolarek -- who allowed one run in one inning of relief in Friday's 6-1 loss -- to Durham to make room for Cishek on the active roster.
Cishek, 31, owns a career 22-27 record, 121 saves and a 2.83 ERA in 396 appearances across eight Major League seasons with the Marlins, Cardinals, and Mariners. While Ramirez was used more as a spot starter/long reliever, Cishek will give the Rays another late-inning option out of their bullpen, including a closing option. He led his club in saves in 2016 (25), '14 (39) and '13 (34).
Cishek began the season on the 10-day disabled list while recovering from October surgery to repair a left hip labrum tear. He was activated on May 15, and in 23 relief appearances since then, he's 1-1 with one save, a 3.15 ERA and a .183 opponents' batting average. Since allowing three runs in his second outing of the season (May 16 vs. Oakland), he has crafted a 1.86 ERA over 21 appearances.
Cishek is the fourth veteran player the Rays have acquired via trade this week, and the sixth acquired over the last six weeks, each with at least six seasons in the Major Leagues. They previously completed trades for infielder Trevor Plouffe (June 17), shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría (June 26), right-hander Sergio Romo (July 23), Jennings and Duda.
Ramirez, 27, is 4-3 with a 4.80 ERA in 26 appearances (eight starts) this season. The Rays acquired him from Seattle on March 31, 2015, for left-hander Mike Montgomery. In three seasons for the Rays, he went 22-20 with a 3.98 ERA in 124 games (36 starts).