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Nationals land Rzepczynski from A's to bolster bullpen

Ed Szczepanski / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The division-leading Washington Nationals added a veteran left-hander to their bullpen Thursday, acquiring Marc Rzepczynski and cash considerations from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor-league infielder Max Schrock, the teams announced.

Acquired by Oakland last winter from the San Diego Padres, the 30-year-old crafted a 3.00 ERA with a 1.72 WHIP through 56 appearances this season, allowing just one home run in 30 innings but managing the sixth-highest walk rate (14.2 percent) among relievers with at least 30 IP. Rzepczynski hasn't been all that effective against left-handed hitters, either, surrendering a .296/.360/.395 line in 54 plate appearances against same-handed batters.

Throughout his career, however, Rzepczynski has limited lefties to a .597 OPS (.270 wOBA), and the Nationals' bullpen has not only struggled to neutralize left-handed bats, but didn't even have a second left-hander to complement Oliver Perez prior to Thursday's deal.

Player IP OPS vs. LHH
Oliver Perez 34.2 .719
Shawn Kelley 46.1 .903
Blake Treinen 53.2 .803
Matt Belisle 38.0 .448
Koda Glover 7.2 .840
Yusmeiro Petit 57.2 .847

Schrock, meanwhile, will join an increasingly strong stable of Athletics prospects. Drafted in the 13th round in 2015, the 21-year-old second baseman has impressed at the plate in his first full professional season, hitting .333/.378/.456 with nine homers, 31 doubles, and 22 stolen bases in 121 games between Low-A Hagerstown and High-A Potomac.

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