Marlins acquire Fernando Rodney in trade with San Diego
ATLANTA (AP) Manager Don Mattingly will wait until Friday to announce how the Miami Marlins will use newly acquired closer Fernando Rodney.
Making a push to stay near the top of the NL wild-card race, the Marlins traded a minor league pitcher to get Rodney from San Diego on Thursday.
Mattingly has yet to express a lack of faith in closer A.J. Ramos, who has converted straight 33 saves opportunities since last season, so it seems likely he would stay in that role for the immediate future.
But Mattingly wouldn't say for sure. Rodney, whose 253 career saves are fifth-most among active pitchers, is expected to join the team on Friday in Atlanta.
''Right now, until I get a chance to talk to Fernando, there's nothing I want to talk about role-wise publicly,'' Mattingly said. ''But we'll make sure everybody knows what's going on and then we'll move on.''
Rodney has been outstanding this year, converting 17-of-17 saves chances with a 0.31 ERA in 28 games. The Marlins are his seventh team overall and sixth since 2011.
Ramos has worked as a solid setup man for the Marlins in the past and might have begun this season in that role again if Carter Capps hadn't had a season-ending elbow injury in spring training.
Mattingly spoke to Ramos before Thursday's game against the Braves, but the manager wouldn't say how they discussed his role. Regardless, Mattingly sees Rodney's addition as a win-win situation.
The Marlins began Thursday with a half-game lead over two teams in the NL wild-card standings.
''This is another piece to a really good bullpen right now,'' he said. ''Our guys at the back end have been very good. This just makes us stronger.''
Miami sent right-hander Chris Paddack to the Padres. Paddack, an eighth-round draft pick last year, went 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in six starts this year for Class A Greensboro.
The Marlins coveted Rodney for his experience and the depth he brings to a bullpen that ranks sixth in the NL and 13th overall with a 3.78 ERA.
''We look at it like we've added a guy who's been rolling this year, has a history of being really good late in games, and we're looking forward to adding that piece to our 'pen,'' Mattingly said.
Assistant general manager Michael Berger said Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill started talking trade with San Diego last week.
''The ability to access anybody right now is challenging to say the least,'' Berger said. ''A lot of hard work went into it and in the end we got better. It was already a strength for this club. It's one man stronger.''
Rodney's salary is team-friendly. His pays $1.6 million this year and includes a team option for next season at $2 million.