Marlins deal Steve Cishek to Cardinals for minor-league pitcher
The Miami Marlins dealt former closer Steve Cishek to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor-league pitcher Kyle Barraclough on Friday.
Cishek, who the Marlins selected in the fifth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, made his debut in 2010 as a September call-up. Known for his side-armed delivery, Cishek went 17-20 with a 2.86 ERA and 94 saves in 284 relief appearances from 2010-15. He took over closing duties for Heath Bell during the 2012 season and held that role until earlier this year.
After going a career-best 39 for 43 in save opportunities in 2014, Cishek struggled to start the season, blowing four of seven chances by mid-May. Righty A.J. Ramos assumed the closer role with Cishek relegated to earlier innings and less stressful situations.
On June 1, Miami optioned him to Double-A Jacksonville to work on mechanics. Since his return, Cishek has posted a 1-1 record and a 0.71 ERA in 13 outings with 11 hits and 11 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings.
Both the 29-year-old righty and All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton were the longest-tenured Marlins. Cishek avoided arbitration with a $6.65 million deal over the offseason.
Barraclough, a seventh-round pick in 2012 out of St. Mary's College of California, is 5-6 with a 2.83 ERA and 25 saves in 100 games (three starts) in the minors.
The 25-year-old righty was 2-0 with a 3.28 ERA and eight saves for Double-A Springfield. He also went 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA and four saves with Single-A Palm Beach prior to the promotion. Barraclough was assigned to Double-A Jacksonville.
Miami recalled right-hander Andre Rienzo to join the ballclub in San Diego.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
