Mariners get Gallardo in deal with Orioles

The Seattle Mariners landed another option for their pitching rotation on Friday, acquiring right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Seth Smith.

The Mariners landed another option for their pitching rotation on Friday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Seth Smith.

Seattle also will receive $2 million from the Orioles, equalizing the 2017 salaries of the players, in a deal that may solve concerns for both teams.

The acquisition of another potential starter was high on Seattle’s list of needs after the Mariners traded Taijuan Walker to Arizona in November. Gallardo was 6-8 with a 5.32 ERA in 23 starts last year with the Orioles, a season that included a lengthy early season stint on the disabled list due to shoulder issues. Two seasons ago Gallardo was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA in 33 starts with Texas.

Last season, Smith appeared in 137 games and had 16 home runs and a career-high 63 RBIs. He was also Seattle’s best hitter with runners in scoring position, hitting .326 in those situations.

Karns-Dyson trade

The Royals acquired right-hander Nathan Karns from the Mariners for outfielder Jarrod Dyson, solidifying a pitching staff that lost workhorse Edinson Volquez to free agency.

The 29-year-old Karns was 6-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 15 starts and 22 appearances last season. He got off to a 5-1 start with a 3.43 ERA but struggled the rest of the season, and missed the final two months with a lower back strain.

Kansas City has been shopping the speedy Dyson much of the offseason, and he became more expendable following the trade of closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs for young outfielder Jorge Soler.

Kelly fired

There was no relief for a manager in the Dominican winter baseball league who signaled for a relief pitcher when nobody was warming up.

Manager Pat Kelly, whose animated arguments with umpires have made for popular YouTube videos, was fired by Licey, a day after his gaffe in a game against big rival Aguilas.

Licey reliever Rafael Soriano took a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning before the former major league closer gave up two hits. Kelly went to the mound and called for a new pitcher, but no one was getting loose in the bullpen.

Leyson Septimo, who briefly pitched for the White Sox in 2012, entered and walked the only batter he faced. Aguilas went on to score five runs and won 5-2.