Rzepczynski trade boosts Nats pen

The Nationals acquired reliever Marc Rzepczynski from the A’s, giving the National League East leaders another lefty in the bullpen.

The A’s also sent $500,000 to be paid Sept. 30 to the Nationals for minor-league infielder Max Schrock.

The Nationals have reshaped their relief corps in the last month. They added closer Marc Melancon, traded Felipe Rivero, cut Jonathan Papelbon and put Sammy Solis on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

The 30-year-old Rzepczynski is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERAin 56 games this season, and has struck out 37 batters in 36 innings of work.

“It’s a necessary move because we only have one left-hander,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of his bullpen. “His stats and his track record are pretty good, and I think he can help us.”

Rzepczynski joins Oliver Perez as lefties in the Nationals bullpen.

Rzepczynski joins the sixth team of his major-league career, having previously pitched for the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Indians and Padres. Rzepczynski joined the A’s in December when the Padres traded him and Yonder Alonso for Drew Pomeranz, Jose Torres and other considerations.

Rzepczynski has pitched in 18 postseason games and helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 2011.

He had pitched well against lefties most of his career, but has struggled this season and has been better against righties. His 70.5 percent ground-ball rate is second best in the majors this season behind Orioles closer Zach Britton.

The 21-year-old Schrock was a 13th-round pick in 2015. He’s hit a combined .333 with nine home runs, 68 RBIs and 22 stolen bases at two Class A levels.