Mariners Get Lira, Olivares From Tigers

Hours after Seattle Manager Lou Piniella pleaded for pitching help, the Mariners traded Scott Sanders and two minor leaguers to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for right-handers Omar Olivares and Felipe Lira.

Olivares, 5-6 with a 4.70 earned-run average in 19 games, will move into the starting rotation, and Lira, 5-7 with a 5.77 ERA in 20 games, will go to the bullpen, Piniella said.

“We were able to add a couple of good arms to our pitching staff. Olivares and Lira are experienced pitchers that have had success,” he said.

Besides Sanders, 3-6 with a 6.47 ERA and two saves in 33 games this season, the Tigers got Dean Crow, a 24-year-old right-hander with 4-2 record at triple-A Tacoma, and Carlos Villalobos, 22, a third baseman batting .341 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in Class A.

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The Baltimore Orioles activated catcher Chris Hoiles from the disabled list and designated catcher Tim Laker for assignment. . . . The Milwaukee Brewers activated second baseman Fernando Vina from the 60-day disabled list and promoted pitcher Al Reyes from triple-A Tucson. The club optioned catcher Kelly Stinnett and infielder Tim Unroe to Tucson to make room for Vina and Reyes.