The San Francisco Giants traded relief pitcher Tyler Walker to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Friday, acquiring Triple-A pitcher Carlos Hines in return. Walker had been designated for assignment on Sunday.
Walker, 29, had appeared in 6 games for the Giants in 2006, netting an ERA of 15.19 while giving up 9 runs on 9 hits and 5 walks while striking out 3. Walker had made a name for himself in 2005, filling in for injured closer Armando Benitez and saving 23 games while carrying a 4.23 ERA, striking out 54 while walking 27.
Hines, 25, had been waived and not claimed by other teams before being demoted by the Devil Rays earlier this month. He has had a 1.80 ERA with a 1-1 record for the Triple-A Durham Bulls. In 8 games, he’s pitched 10 innings in relief, giving up 5 runs (2 earned) on 13 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. Hines is in his 8th professional season, and 2nd in Triple-A. Last year for Durham, Hines was 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA, striking out 22 and walking 17 in 35.2 innings.
Hines will not be added to the 40 Man Roster, and will be sent to the Giants Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies.
Before this deal was announced, it had been noted that the NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers were interested in putting in a waiver claim on Walker should he clear the 10 day period after being DFA’d without being traded.