Pitcher swap: Mariners sign Ryan Cook after releasing Anthony Bass

The holidays are over, and Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is back in the swing with some new roster moves.

The Mariners signed right-handed reliever Ryan Cook to a one-year deal Thursday just hours after releasing right-hander Anthony Bass in accordance with his desire to pursue an opportunity to pitch in Japan.

Cook, 28, struggled last season at Oakland and Boston, and spent much of the season in the minors, after compiling a 2.77 ERA in 208 relief outings for the Athletics from 2011-14.

"We're looking forward to seeing Ryan in a Mariners uniform," Dipoto said. "He remains just 28 years old and is just one season removed from being one of the more effective setup relievers in the American League.

"His presence enhances both our bullpen depth and overall upside."

Cook agreed to a $1.1 million non-guaranteed deal that includes $300,000 in performance bonuses based on games pitched. He gets $300,000 if sent to the minors.

An All-Star in 2012, when he went 6-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 71 appearances, Cook struggled last year in spring training and opened the season in the minors.

After returning to the Athletics in late April, Cook made just four appearances — and allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings — before returning to Triple-A Nashville.

Boston acquired Cook in a July 31 deal, but he fared even worse, allowing 14 runs in 4 1/3 innings over five outings. He gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning in an Aug. 15 game against the Mariners at Fenway Park.

The Mariners released Bass less than two months after a Nov. 16 trade brought him from Texas with outfielder Leonys Martin in a trade for reliever Tom Wilhelmsen, outfielder James Jones and utilityman Pat Kivlehan.

Bass was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA last season in 33 relief appearances for the Rangers and was expected to compete this spring for a middle-relief job in the Mariners’ bullpen. He was unsigned and eligible for arbitration after making $750,000 in 2015.

Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Pitcher swap: Mariners sign Ryan Cook after releasing Anthony Bass."