Tigers acquire Soria from Rangers: Nathan will remain closer in Detroit says GM
Tap here to access our MLB Trade Tracker which includes all trades and rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.
Despite adding veteran reliever Joakim Soria to their bullpen Wednesday night, the Detroit Tigers will continue to use 39-year-old right-hander Joe Nathan in the ninth inning, general manager Dave Dombrowski told MLB.com's Jason Beck.
Nathan will remain closer, Dave Dombrowski confirms in email.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) July 24, 2014
The Tigers parted ways with pitching prospects Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson to acquire Soria, the former closer who owns a 2.70 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP through 35 appearances for the Texas Rangers this season. Soria's 10.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio represents the second-best mark among relievers, and the 30-year-old has yet to allow a home run in 33 1/3 innings this year.
A two-time All-Star, Soria will likely serve as Nathan's setup man and help bolster a bullpen that owns a 4.37 ERA this season, the fourth-worst mark in the American League.
Nathan, incidentally, has been rather shaky this season, managing a 5.89 ERA through 39 appearances while blowing five saves in 25 opportunities.