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D'Backs Trade Ryan Roberts To Rays

Jun. 23, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ryan Roberts (14) during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE
Jun. 23, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ryan Roberts (14) during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated third baseman Ryan Roberts for assignment earlier in the evening, but the third baseman had told reporters a deal was "on the one yard line." To continue with the football theme, the deal is in the end zone and finished.

The D'Backs have traded Roberts to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league second baseman Tyler Bortnick, as first reported by Joe Smith of The Tampa Bay Times. The D'Backs confirmed the report and have announced the deal is complete. The Rays will need to make a corresponding roster move to open up a roster spot for Roberts, however.

The Rays will take a flyer on the 31-year-old Roberts and hope he can serve as a serviceable stopgap at third until star third baseman Evan Longoria returns to action Tampa won't be expecting much, though, as Roberts is hitting just .250/.306/.357 with 6 home runs over 280 plate appearances this season.