“Justin gives us another young, Major League-ready arm in the mix for our bullpen,” Dipoto said. “He brings us one step closer to the type of depth we believe is required to be truly competitive in this league. Justin remains a young pitcher with good stuff who has been both durable and resilient as a Major Leaguer, while also being just one year removed from an excellent 2014 season.”
De Fratus, 28, has spent his entire career in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, drafted in the 11th round out of Ventura College (CA) in 2007. The 6-4, 225-pound right-hander was signed by then Phillies scout Tim Kissner, now the Mariners Director of International Operations.