Seattle Mariners acquire LHP Drew Smyly from Tampa Bay Rays for three players

The Seattle Mariners acquired left-hander pitcher Drew Smyly from the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-player trade on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day the Mariners acquired right-handers Shae Simmons and outfielder Mallex Smith from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league left-handers Luiz Gohara and Thomas Burrows.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto completed his 11th trade this offseason by acquiring Smyly for Smith, infielder Carlos Vargas and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.

"We have been clear that one of our top priorities this offseason was to continue to bolster our starting rotation," Dipoto said in a statement. "Today's moves allowed us to add an experienced pitcher to our starting group. Drew took the ball 30 times last season, threw over 175 innings and is a proven performer in the American League. He's a good fit for our club."

Smyly, 27, established career-highs last season with 30 starts, 175 1/3 innings and 167 strikeouts in 2016. He finished the season 7-12 with a 4.88 ERA for the Rays. His 2.52 walks per nine innings were seventh lowest in the American League, and hver his final 12 starts, Smyly was 5-1 with a 3.73 ERA.

In five major league seasons with Detroit (2012-14) and Tampa Bay (2014-16), Smyly is 31-27 with a 3.74 ERA with 552 strikeouts over 570 1/3 innings in 156 games, including 85 starts.

Simmons, 26, made seven relief appearances with the Braves in 2016, tossing 6 2/3 innings and allowing one run for a 1.35 ERA. He began the year on the 15-day disabled list while recovering from Tommy John right elbow surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews on Feb. 12, 2015. As part of his rehabilitation, Simmons made 19 appearances in the minor leagues before joining the Braves.

Simmons has a major league record of 1-2 with one save and a 2.54 ERA over 28 1/3 innings in 33 career relief appearances. In four combined years in the Braves' minor league system, he was 3-4, with 41 saves and a 1.80 ERA in 107 games (13 starts).

Smith, 23, was acquired by Seattle from Atlanta earlier Wednesday. He made his major league debut with the Braves in 2016, appearing in 72 games and hitting .238 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. He played all three outfield positions, appearing in center field (35 games), left field (22 games) and right field (one game) and committing only one error.

Vargas, 17, hit .242 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 62 games during his rookie campaign with the DSL Mariners of the Dominican Summer League last season. He was signed as an International free agent on July 2, 2015.

Yarbrough, 25, was selected Southern League pitcher of the year after going 12-4 with a 2.95 ERA over 128 1/3 innings in 25 starts with Double-A Jackson in 2016.

Gohara, 20, combined for a record of 7-2 with a 1.81 ERA over 69 2/3 innings with 81 strikeouts and 23 walks in 13 starts with Class A Everett and Class A Clinton last season.

Burrows, 22, went 0-1 with six saves and a 2.55 ERA over 24 2/3 innings with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in 20 relief appearances with Everett last season.

To make room on the Mariners' 40-man roster, right-hander Cody Martin was designated for assignment. The Mariners have 10 days to trade, release or outright Martin's contract to the minors.

Martin, 27, went 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA over 25 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts and nine walks in nine appearances (two starts) with Seattle last season. He was claimed on waivers by the Mariners from Oakland on Oct. 19, 2015.