CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have bolstered their bullpen less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona for the start of spring training.
The Indians acquired reliever Nick Wittgren from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jordan Milbrath. Additionally, the Indians designated for assignment right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report the deal.
Wittgren became available when the Marlins designated him for assignment to clear space for Neil Walker.
In three years with the Marlins, Wittgren compiled a 9-5 record with a 3.60 earned run average over 127.2 innings of work in 118 appearances. Wittgren registered 15 holds and 116 strikeouts against 125 hits and 51 earned runs allowed.
Opposing batters have hit .254 against Wittgren in his Major League Baseball career.
Wittgren comes to the Indians after a productive 2018 season in Miami.
Over 33.2 innings of work in 32 appearances, Wittgren struck out 31 batters against 15 walks, 29 hits and 11 earned runs allowed. Wittgren finished the year with a career-best 2.94 ERA, four holds and limited opposing hitters to a .223 batting average.
Wittgren posted a 2-1 record for the Marlins in 2018.
Wittgren debuted with the Marlins in 2016 and had a solid start to his career.
Over a career-high 48 appearances during his rookie season, Wittgren posted a 4-3 record with a 3.14 ERA. In 51.2 innings of work, Wittgren registered 42 strikeouts against 10 walks, 50 hits and 18 earned runs allowed.
During his second season in the big leagues in 2017, Wittgren registered 43 strikeouts over 42.1 innings of work on the way to a 3-1 record.