The A's added even more depth to their bullpen Friday, acquiring veteran reliever Cory Gearrin from the Rangers in exchange for minor league pitchers Abdiel Mendoza and Teodoro Ortega.
The right-handed pitcher has gone 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA and one save in 56 relief appearances for the Rangers and Giants this season. The 32-year-old began the season in San Francisco, before being traded to Texas on July 8. In 21 appearances with the Rangers, he posted a 2.53 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. For his career, he is 12–9 with a 3.48 ERA and five saves in 264 appearances.
"He's been terrific," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "You would envision more of a matchup righty-righty guy, but he's also shown the ability to get lefties out. He can pitch a couple innings. He's got a funky arm slot. The ball moves a lot. I know he's excited about being here."
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Gearrin is the fourth reliever the A's have acquired in the last six weeks, joining Jeurys Familia, Shawn Kelley, and Fernando Rodney. With recent injuries to starting pitchers Sean Manaea and Brett Anderson, Oakland will rely heavily on its bullpen down the stretch. Melvin even suggested the possibility of starting a reliever in certain situations, a strategy the Tampa Bay Rays have already tried out this season.
"Potentially," Melvin responded. "We'll take a look at it. If we feel like that's the route we need to go with a starter or two, we'll talk about it."
Mendoza, 19, was 2-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 13 games with the A's Short Season Single-A affiliate in Vermont. Ortega, 18, was 3-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 14 games with the A's affiliate in the Dominican Summer League.
To make room for Gearrin on the 40-man roster, Oakland placed Paul Blackburn on the 60-day DL.
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