Seattle adds lefty to bullpen

BALTIMORE – The Seattle Mariners added a left-handed arm to their bullpen Thursday, acquiring John Parrish from the Baltimore Orioles for a minor league outfielder and a player to be named or cash.

Parrish switched clubhouses Thursday night before the Mariners and Orioles completed a three-game series at Camden Yards.

“I’m still stunned. But it’s a good stunned,” Parrish said while slipping on a Mariners uniform.

Parrish was drafted by Baltimore in 1996 and had been with the organization since.

“It’s been a good time. They stuck with me for a long time,” he said. “That’s why it’s a little different. Twelve years with the same organization is a little unheard of sometimes.”

The 29-year-old Parrish appeared in 45 games for the Orioles this year, going 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA. He missed most of the previous two seasons after having a pair of operations on his pitching arm, including Tommy John surgery.

“He is a veteran pitcher and he adds a little depth to the organization,” Seattle manager John McLaren said. “He’s not an innings pitcher; he’s a situational lefty. And he also has pretty good stats against right-handers.”

Seattle sent Sebastien Boucher to the Orioles. Boucher has split this season between Double-A West Tennessee and Triple-A Tacoma. He was a seventh-round pick by Seattle in the June 2004 draft.

Seattle also optioned right-handed reliever Mark Lowe to Tacoma to clear a roster spot for Parrish.