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Diamondbacks acquire Boxberger from Rays

Joseph Garnett Jr. / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Arizona Diamondbacks bolstered their bullpen ahead of the non-tender deadline on Thursday by acquiring right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor-league pitcher Curtis Taylor.

Boxberger has thrown a combined 53 2/3 innings over the last two seasons due to injuries, but was an All-Star closer only three years ago. In 2015 he earned his first and, to date, only All-Star berth by tallying an AL-leading 41 saves for the Rays.

Boxberger not only provides D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo with another dynamic late-inning arm alongside Archie Bradley, but could also be a possible replacement at closer for free agent Fernando Rodney.

The 29-year-old is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $1.9 million in arbitration, and he'll be eligible for free agency following the 2019 season.

Last season, Boxberger posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.159 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts (12.3 per nine innings) in only 30 games for Tampa Bay, after spending the first three months of 2017 on the disabled list. For his career, Boxberger has tallied 44 saves while crafting a 3.19 ERA.

Taylor, 22, was ranked as Arizona's No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline. The native of British Columbia posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.251 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 13 starts for Single-A Kane County in 2017 before a shoulder impingement ended his season. He's expected to be healthy for the beginning of next season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

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