ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays got bullpen help Thursday, acquiring reliever Chad Bradford from the Baltimore Orioles.
The veteran right-hander was waived by Baltimore and the Rays were the first team to make a waiver claim.
Bradford, 33, was 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 47 relief appearances for the Orioles this season.
"We are excited to add Chad to our bullpen," General Manager Andrew Friedman said in a text message. "He gives us a very different look from what we currently have. He is an extreme ground-ball pitcher that should enjoy a lot of success pitching in front of our infield defense."
Bradford has appeared in 68 or more games in five of the past six seasons. In 2007, he finished third among American League relievers with 78 appearances.
The 13th-round pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 1996 amateur player draft joins his fifth major league team.
