Brewers add veteran relief pitcher Swarzak

WASHINGTON - The Brewers made official Wednesday morning what had leaked out the previous evening: They have acquired veteran reliever Anthony Swarzak from the Chicago White Sox.

In exchange for Swarzak, the Brewers sent minor-league outfielder Ryan Cordell to Chicago. Cordell, 25, was playing at Class AAA Colorado Springs but has been on the disabled list since June 26 with a back issue, and the White Sox needed to check his medical records before the deal became official.

The Brewers have been scouring the trade market for both starting pitching and relief help, and general manager David Stearns made, for him, an unusual move to trade a prospect for a veteran. During his club rebuild, Stearns has been doing the opposite, sending away established players for prospects.

“As we progress through our plan, the major-league team at times is going to take on added importance,” Stearns said. “This was a situation where we thought Anthony fit a need for us very nicely.

“He’s a pitcher who has missed bats and is able to perform in both shorter segments and longer segments.”

Swarzak will be 32 in September and is a free agent after the season. The right-hander also is having by far the best year of his career, posting a 4-3 record and 2.23 earned run average in 41 appearances. He has pitched 481⁄3 innings, allowing 37 hits and 13 walks with 52 strikeouts.

In six-plus previous seasons with Minnesota, Cleveland and the New York Yankees, Swarzak posted a 4.52 ERA over 217 appearances. He was a secondround draft pick in 2004 by the Twins out of high school in Davie, Fla.

Asked why Swarzak has been so much better this season, Stearns said, “The biggest thing, that probably anyone can see, is he is throwing harder . ... You couple that with a quality major-league slider and you have a pretty good relief pitcher.”

As for where Swarzak might fit in the Brewers bullpen, Stearns said, “He’s going to fit into that highleverage mix later in games . ... Outside of Corey (Knebel’s) role (as closer), I don’t think we have defined, set roles in our bullpen.”

Stearns said he did not expect Swarzak to join the team until the Brewers’ series finale Thursday afternoon against the Nationals.

Playing mostly outfield but also some third base, Cordell, 25, was batting .284 in 68 games for the Sky Sox with 18 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs and 45 runs batted in. He has a .855 OPS but is expected to be out a few more weeks with the back issue.

Stearns said he would continue to explore the trade market before the Monday deadline and is “still active on a number of fronts.”