Seeking an experienced arm to bolster a bullpen that has been made over several times already this season, the Nationals on Thursday acquired right-hander David Carpenter from the Yankees in exchange for minor-league infielder Tony Renda.
The Yankees had designated Carpenter for assignment last week after he posted a 4.82 ERA in 22 appearances, putting 28 men on base in only 18 2/3 innings. But the 29-year-old was a successful and key member of the Braves’ bullpen from 2013-14, with a 2.63 ERA, 1.121 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings.
Carpenter’s struggles this season weren’t attributable to any arm issues — his fastball averaged 95 mph, same as the last two years in Atlanta — but the Yankees reached a point where they couldn’t count on him to serve as their primary setup man in front of late-inning relievers Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller.