Mariners make deals for relievers Venditte, Caminero

SEATTLE — General manager Jerry Dipoto promised the Mariners would be active in the trade market in August, and he wasted no time backing that up, as Seattle acquired “switch-pitcher” Pat Venditte from the Blue Jays and right-handed reliever Arquimedes Caminero from the Pirates on Saturday in exchange for players to be named later.

Though the non-waiver Trade Deadline passed on Monday, clubs can still acquire players who are placed on waivers. The Mariners claimed both Venditte and Caminero and worked out deals that will be finalized by Sept. 1 with either one or two prospects going to Pittsburgh and another to Toronto. Players acquired by Aug. 31 are eligible for postseason rosters. Right-handed relievers Blake Parker and Donn Roach were designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Parker’s move also opened up a spot on the 25-man roster for starting pitcher Taijuan Walker to be activated off the 15-day disabled list for Saturday’s 6:40 p.m. PT game against the Angels, since Caminero won’t be able to join the team until Sunday. That means another roster move will be coming Sunday to open a spot for Caminero on the 25-man roster.

Venditte was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma. He is one of the more-interesting stories in baseball, as he uses his left arm to throw against left-handed hitters, then switches to the right arm to face righties. He’s been throwing with both arms since he was a child, uses a mitt that can be transferred to either hand, and last season he became the first “switch-pitcher” to perform …

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