Nationals acquire Marc Rzepczynski from A’s for Max Schrock

In need of relief help, especially from the left side, with a bullpen that is worn out, the Washington Nationals acquired veteran reliever Marc Rzepczynski (and cash considerations) from the Oakland A’s this morning according to a report from the team on Twitter.

In exchange for Rzepczynski, the Nats sent 21-year-old, 2015 13th Round pick Max Schrock to the Athletics. Schrock has a .333/.378/.456 line with 31 doubles and nine home runs in 121 games and 543 plate appearances between Low-A Hagerstown and High-A Potomac in the Nationals’ system this season.

Rzepczynski, 30, has a 3.00 ERA, a 3.62 FIP, 24 walks (6.00 BB/9) and 37 Ks (9.25 K/9) in 36 innings pitched for Oakland this season in his eighth major league campaign.

The left-hander has held opposing hitters to a combined .266/.379/.343 line this season with right-handed hitters hitting .226/.400/.274 and lefties .296/.360/.395 against him.

As the Nationals note in a press release on the deal, he’s held lefties to a .225/.295/.302 line in his career, giving up just eight home runs by the 714 left-handers he’s faced.

He’s also produced a 70.5% ground-ball rate this season, which is the second-best in the majors, behind only Baltimore Orioles’ closer Zach Britton.

Rzepczynski has held opponents scoreless in 15 of his last 16 appearances, with a 1.04 ERA in 8 ⅔ IP over that stretch.

With the Nationals’ bullpen tired, left-handed Oliver Perez struggling (and dealing with back tightness), Sammy Solis on the DL with shoulder trouble and Felipe Rivero now in Pittsburgh after he was traded to the Pirates in the Mark Melancon deal, the Nats were in need of bullpen help, which they received this morning.