Both Altavilla and Venditte are interesting stories. Altavilla, the Mariners' 22nd-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, was converted to a relief role this year. Like rookie closer Edwin Diaz, the 23-year-old out of Mercyhurst University adapted well to the move, and he has gone 7-3 with16 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 43 outings. He now makes the jump from Double-A to the Majors.
Venditte, 31, has a little Major League experience and garnered considerable notoriety a year ago when he appeared in 26 games for the A's as the first ambidextrous pitcher in the Majors since Greg Harris in 1995.