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Nationals acquire lefty reliever Rzepczynski from Athletics
BBO--Nationals-Athletics Trade pic
Nationals-Athletics Trade -- Marc Rzepczynski pitches in relief for the Oakland Athletics in Wednesdays win over the Cleveland Indians. It turned out to be his final appearance for the As as he was traded to Washington on Thursday. - photo by WAYNE THALLANDER/The Bulletin

WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals acquired reliever Marc Rzepczynski from Oakland on Thursday, giving the NL East leaders another lefty in the bullpen.

Oakland also sent $500,000 to be paid on Sept. 30 to the Nationals for minor league infielder Max Schrock.

The Nationals have reshaped their relief corps in the last month. They added closer Marc Melancon, traded Felipe Rivero, cut Jonathan Papelbon and put Sammy Solis on the disabled list.

The 30-year-old Rzepczynski was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 56 games this season.

“It’s a necessary move because we only have one left-hander,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of his bullpen. “His stats and his track record are pretty good and I think he can help us.”

Rzepczynski joins Oliver Perez as lefties in the Washington bullpen.

The 30-year-old Rzepczynski joins the sixth team of his major league career. He has pitched in 18 postseason games and helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in 2011.

Rzepczynski had pitched well against lefties most of his career. But he’s struggled against them this season and has been better against righties. His 70.5 percent ground-ball rate this season is second best in the majors behind Baltimore closer Zach Britton.

The 21-year-old Schrock was a 13th-round pick in 2015. He’s hit a combined .333 with nine home runs, 68 RBIs and 22 stolen bases at two Class A levels.