Braves, Mariners in pitcher swap

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves Thursday completed a deal with the Seattle Mariners, trading starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez for reliever Rafael Soriano.

The Braves are expected, initially, to use Soriano as a setup man for closer Bob Wickman. Soriano was 1-2 with a 2.25 earned run average for the Mariners last season.

Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz said an off-season goal of the team was to bolster its bullpen, adding, "In 2006 Rafael established himself as a very reliable pitcher and we obviously feel that we have improved our pitching staff with his addition."

Ramirez was 5-5 with a 4.48 ERA for Atlanta in 2006. For his career he is 30-22 with a 4.13 ERA. All but two of his 86 appearances have been as a starter.

Seattle General Manager Bill Bavasi calls Ramirez a "young left-handed starter who makes us better immediately."