The way Marlins general manager Kim Ng sees it, the organization added a hitter and a pitcher via a pair of deals on Wednesday afternoon.

In its second move leading up to the Trade Deadline, Miami sent closer Yimi Garc¨ªa to Houston for Minor League outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and reliever Austin Pruitt. Earlier in the day, the club dealt outfielder Starling Marte -- and his expiring contract -- to Oakland for former top pitching prospect Jes¨²s Luzardo.

The right-handed-hitting De La Cruz wasn't among MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Prospects for Houston, but he has enjoyed a strong season at Triple-A. In 66 games, the 24-year-old has slashed .324/.362/.518 with 17 doubles, 12 homers and an .880 OPS. De La Cruz also has appeared at all three outfield spots: left (19), center (16) and right (22).

Pruitt had been designated for assignment earlier in the day to make room on Houston's 40-man roster for another trade. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 4.89 career ERA across 69 MLB outings (10 starts) from 2017-21 between the Rays and Astros. His four-pitch mix is as follows: four-seamer (91.8 mph average), slider, curveball and changeup. Pruitt will join the bullpen and add depth.

"[De La Cruz] has basically just hit everywhere he's been, so we were happy to make him a part of the organization," Ng said. "We were really focused in on De La Cruz as adding to our close-to-big-league-ready -- if not big-league-ready -- stable of hitters, so we think he's a great add."

TRADE DETAILS
Marlins get: OF Bryan De La Cruz, RHP Austin Pruitt
Astros get: RHP Yimi Garc¨ªa

With Marte gone, Magneuris Sierra started Wednesday's series finale against the Orioles. A decision has yet to be made on the position moving forward. 40-man roster options include Sierra, Monte Harrison and Lewis Brinson. Right fielder Adam Duvall, who is tied for fourth in the National League in RBIs (68) and fifth in homers (22), has played a bit in center but also is garnering interest from contenders in advance of Friday's 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. He has a mutual option for 2022.

Ng said the organization is undecided on whether De La Cruz will join the Major League club or begin at Triple-A Jacksonville. What he does is "bridge a little bit of a gap from some of our younger outfielders." That group includes prospects JJ Bleday and Peyton Burdick, who are experiencing growing pains at Double-A Pensacola.

As for Miami's bullpen, which entered Wednesday third in WHIP (1.18) and fourth in ERA (3.45) in the Majors, every arm except Ross Detwiler is under club control beyond 2021. Setup men Dylan Floro, Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier are among the attractive pieces. Relievers are a hot commodity for contenders leading up to the Trade Deadline.

Garc¨ªa, who can become a free agent after the season, was solid in 2021, with a 3.47 ERA, 118 ERA+ and a 1.21 WHIP in 39 appearances. The Marlins signed the 30-year-old right-hander in December 2019 after the Dodgers non-tendered him, and he served as their primary setup man during their '20 postseason push. In '21, Garc¨ªa took over as closer for the first time in his seven-year career, going 15-for-18 in save situations. Internal options to close include Floro, Bass and rookie Anthony Bender.