Wlodarczyk picked by Nationals in Rule 5 draft

Biscuits left-handed reliever Mike Wlodarczyk went to the Washington Nationals today in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Since it's the minor-league phase, that does not mean Wlodarczyk has to stay in the major leagues all season or be offered back to the Rays.

Tampa Bay was an active picker itself. The Rays grabbed left-handed pitcher Armando Zerpa from Boston in the major-league phase. They also snapped up right-handed pitcher Miguel Sierra from the Cubs in the minor-league phase.

Tampa Bay also lost pitcher Doug Salinas to the Reds in the minor-league phase. Salinas was 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 22 appearances this year for short-season Hudson Valley. This was his fourth professional season.

Zerpa, 22, was a combined 2-3 with a 2.68 ERA between two Class A teams this year, his first with a full-season team. He totaled 78 strikeouts in 74.2 innings. Zerpa was a South Atlantic League All-Star after having a 1.20 ERA in 22 appearances with the Greenville Drive.

Sierra, 21, finished 2-2 with a 5.73 ERA between two short-season teams in his fourth pro season.

Wlodarczyk was 1-4 with five saves and a 5.40 ERA in 47 games for Montgomery this year. He reached Triple-A Durham at the end of the season and made one appearance before the International League playoffs. Wlodarczyk turned 27 last week.