Pirates Acquire Joakim Soria From Tigers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pirates have made a trade to bolster their bullpen.
They have acquired right-handed pitcher Joakim Soria from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a minor league infielder.
The 31-year-old Soria was 3-1 with 23 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 43 appearances with Detroit this season.
"We feel it will just lengthen and deepen our bullpen," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.
He didn't allow a run in 13 of his last 14 appearances. The deal was made a few hours after the Pirates got versatile reliever Joe Blanton from Kansas City for cash.
The Pirates gave up infielder JaCoby Jones, a 23-year-old who was recently promoted to Double-A.
They will have to make a move to create a roster spot when Soria joins the team, which opened a four-game series in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the Pirates designated Vance Worley for assignment to open a roster spot Blanton.
Soria figures to accompany Mark Melancon and Tony Watson in the back end of the Pirates bullpen. He becomes a free agent after this season.
Jones was recently rated by MLB.com as the Pirates no. 12 prospect.
Jones began the 2015 campaign in Bradenton but played three games in AA Altoona. He hit .253 with 10 home runs with the Bradenton Marauders.
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