NEW YORK -- The New York Mets' quest to improve their bullpen, their biggest flaw, before Tuesday's trade deadline continued Friday when they acquired reliever Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners for minor-league outfielder Rhylan Thomas, the team announced.
The transaction came hours after developments impacted both clubs' bullpens.
On one side, the Mariners needed to create a spot on the 40-man roster after landing right-hander Yimi Garcia, one of the top available relievers on the market, in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
On the other, the Mets placed right-hander Dedniel Nunez, one of their top relievers, on the injured list with a right pronator strain -- a huge blow to a bullpen with the fourth-highest ERA in the majors since May 1.