LINCOLN — The Saltdogs acquired RHP Matt Larkins, the 2015 American Association innings leader, and RHP Brad Orosey in a trade with Wichita Tuesday.
In exchange, Lincoln sent cash and the reversionary rights to OF Dexter Kjerstad, who is currently playing in the Miami Marlins organization.
Larkins went 8-5 with a 3.26 ERA for Amarillo in 2015, leading the league in both starts (23) and innings pitched (152). The 26-year old workhorse averaged nearly 6 2/3 innings per outing.
A University of California, Riverside alum, Larkins also went 6-4 with a 2.87 ERA for Melbourne of the Australian Baseball League over the winter.
Over his four professional seasons, Larkin has amassed a 30-19 record with a 3.69 ERA, improving his numbers steadily over the past three seasons for Amarillo.
Larkins boasts a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.66-to-1.
Orosey went 3-4 with a 4.18 ERA in 21 games in 2015, with stops at Alpine (Pecos League), Normal (Frontier League) and Wichita.
The 26-year old from Houston owns a career 16-13 record with a 4.54 ERA over four professional seasons.
The Saltdogs also dealt RHP Shane Street to Sioux Falls in exchange for cash, and LHP Will Mathis to Fargo-Moorhead in exchange for cash. In addition, INF Kazuki Nezu was released.
Lincoln opens its 2016 campaign May 19 at Wichita. The home opener is set for May 27, with an Opening Day Fireworks Spectacular to follow. Single-game tickets go on sale online May 1 and at the ticket office May 2.
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