The Miami Marlins traded right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia to the Houston Astros for right-hander Austin Pruitt and minor-league outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, it was announced Wednesday.
Garcia has primarily served as a closer with the Marlins. The 30-year-old has recorded 15 saves in 18 chances to go with a 3.47 ERA in 36 1/3 innings in 2021.
De La Cruz isn't among the Astros' top 30 prospects but has performed well at Triple-A this season. The 24-year-old has slashed .324/.362/.518 with 12 home runs, 17 doubles, and 50 RBIs in 66 games.
Pruitt, a veteran of four major-league seasons, made two appearances with the Astros this month before being designated for assignment earlier Wednesday. He missed all of last season and much of this year because of an elbow injury. The 31-year-old owns a lifetime 4.89 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 148 strikeouts across 69 big-league appearances.
The trade of Garcia come just hours after the Marlins dealt outfielder Starling Marte to the Oakland Athletics.
It's the Astros' second trade for relief pitching in as many days. They acquired Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
If deal is completed, the Astros will have added three relievers (García, Graveman, Montero) who combined will earn less than $2M for the rest of the season. Clearly mindful of luxury-tax threshold. https://t.co/ZKBL4EK7QT
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2021
