Phillies Acquire Reliever Pat Venditte From Mariners

The Phillies made a small trade on Sunday as they acquired reliever Pat Venditte from the Mariners in exchange for minor-league outfielder Joey Curletta.

The 31-year-old Venditte has spent parts of two seasons in the majors with Oaklnad, Toronto and Seattle. In 41 career appearances, Venditte has 4.97 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 23 walks.

But those numbers may not be why you have heard of Venditte before.

Venditte made news when he was called up two years ago by the A's because he is ambidextrous. He has the ability to pitch with both his left and right hands.

Venditte is currently playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy and will join the Phils in camp after Italy's final game in the tournament.

Curletta was the player to be named later the Phillies acquired from the Dodgers last summer in the Carlos Ruiz trade. He never played a game in the Phils' minor-league system.

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