Astros acquire RHP Matt Lindstrom from Marlins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Houston Astros have acquired hard-throwing RHP Matt Lindstrom from the Florida Marlins in exchange for RHP Robert Bono, IF Luis Bryan and a player to be named later, General Manager Ed Wade announced today.

Lindstrom, 29, was 2-1 in 54 relief appearances for the Marlins in 2009 with a 5.89 ERA (31ER/47.1IP) and 15 saves in 17 opportunities with 24 walks and 39 strikeouts. In four of his 54 appearances, he allowed a combined 18 earned runs in just 2.1 innings of work. Lindstrom posted a 2.60 ERA in his other 50 outings on the season. In his career, he is 8-8 with a 3.88 ERA (74ER/171.2IP) in 191 Major League appearances, all in relief, with 20 saves, 71 walks and 144 strikeouts.

“We’re happy to have Matt as a part of our club,” Wade said. “He has a tremendous arm and has shown closer’s stuff in the past. He had some health issues last season, but we believe he’ll bounce back. We feel he has the capability to be our closer or to at least share those responsibilites.”

Lindstrom was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 10th round of the 2002 June Draft before beign traded to the Marlins on November 20, 2006. In his first Major League season in 2007, he was named the Marlins Rookie of the Year by the Miami chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America after posting a 3-4 record in 71 appearances with a 3.09 ERA (23ER/67IP). His two home runs allowed tied a club record for fewest allowed in a season by a Marlins reliever. Lindstrom was 3-3 in 66 appearances for the Marlins in 2008 with a 3.14 ERA (20ER/57.1IP) and five saves.

Bryan, 19, posted a .340 average (36×106) with six doubles, two triples, two home runs and 19 RBI in 31 games with the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2009. The 6-2, 165 pound native of the Dominican Republic was signed as a non-drafted free agent by Houston on November 20, 2007.

Bono, 20, compiled a 10-8 record and 3.20 ERA (143.1 IP/51 ER) in 25 starts, including three complete games, for the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League. The 6-2, 175 pound righty was drafted by Houston in the 11th round of the 2007 First-Year Player draft.

Source: Houston Astros/Florida Marlins/Major League Baseball

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