Tampa Bay Rays trade RHP Nathan Eovaldi to Boston Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher, Jalen Beeks.

Eovaldi has been fantastic for the Rays this season, delivering a couple of lengthy no-hit bids along the way. Overall, Eovaldi has a 4.26 ERA and a 4.28 FIP over the course of 57 innings pitched in his 10 starts. The Rays originally picked up Eovaldi has a free agent during the 2016-17 offseason as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was slated to be a part of the Rays’ Opening Day rotation, but loose bodies in his elbow prevented that, and he was sidelined until mid-May.

Eovaldi will be a free agent upon the conclusion of the 2018 season.

In return for Eovaldi, the Rays acquired LHP Jalen Beeks, a 24-year-old with two games of MLB experience for the Red Sox this season. He was a 12th round selection in the 2014 draft by the Red Sox. He has spent the majority of the past two seasons in Triple-A Pawtucket. In 2018, he has shown an increase in strikeouts, while his walk rate is the lowest of his professional career.

Eovaldi was slated to start Wednesday’s game against the New York Yankees, but with the trade, the Rays will start Ryne Stanek instead. Austin Pruitt has been recalled from Triple-A Durham to take Eovaldi’s place on the active roster.