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Rays trade Ramos to Angels for Sappington

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Mark Sappington from the Los Angeles Angels for left-handed pitcher Cesar Ramos.

Sappington, 23, split the 2014 season between Double-A Arkansas and Class-A Inland Empire, going 4-1 with a 6.02 ERA (113.2-IP, 76-ER) in 42 appearances (17 starts). He converted to the bullpen in July, and went 2-0 with five saves, a 3.38 ERA (32-IP, 12-ER) and 49 strikeouts in 25 relief appearances. He is currently on the roster of the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League and was named the No. 9 prospect in the Angels organization by MLB.com following the season. Sappington was named to the California League midseason and postseason All-Star teams in 2013. He was selected by the Angels in the fifth round of the 2012 June Draft.

Ramos, 30, went 2-6 with a 3.70 ERA (82.2-IP, 34-ER) in 43 appearances (seven starts) in 2014, establishing a career high in innings pitched. He posted a 2.92 ERA (52.1-IP, 17-ER) in 36 relief appearances and a 5.04 mark (30.1-IP, 17-ER) as a starter. Ramos was 5-9 with a 3.66 ERA (223.2-IP, 91-ER) over four seasons with the Rays, and has a career 3.90 ERA (246.2-IP, 107-ER) in parts of six major league seasons. Ramos was born in Los Angeles and went to Long Beach State University.

Read More: Tampa Bay Rays