Rays acquire Ryan Roberts from Diamondbacks

The Rays have traded for infielder Ryan Roberts, who had been designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.

Ryan Roberts is headed from Arizona to Tampa Bay. (Getty Images)

Mere hours after the Diamondbacks designated infielder Ryan Roberts for assignment, the Rays have acquired him in a trade.

Roberts, coming off a 19-homer campaign in 2011, is hitting a disappointing .250/.306/.357 this season. However, he has a career OPS of .815 against left-handed pitching (the Rays rank 11th in the AL in OPS vs. lefties) and can capably man third, second and either of the outfield corners. For a Rays team that's struggled to get any production whatsoever from second and, in the ongoing absence of Evan Longoria, third, Roberts could be useful.

Headed to Arizona will be minor-league second baseman Tyler Bortnick. The 25-year-old Bortnick has speed on the bases and also boasts a career OBP of .396 across parts of four minor-league seasons.

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