PITTSBURGH — The surging Pittsburgh Pirates are intent on making a run at a playoff spot.
The Pirates bolstered the front end of their rotation at the non-waiver deadline on Tuesday, adding Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer while sending the Rays a couple of coveted prospects in outfielder Austin Meadows and pitcher Tyler Glasnow and a player to be named.
The 29-year-old Archer, a two-time All-Star, is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts this season for the Rays.
The move is the second significant trade by the Pirates ahead of the non-waiver deadline. Pittsburgh acquired Texas Rangers closer Keone Kela early Tuesday for left-handed pitching prospect Taylor Hearn and a player to be named. The trades came at the end of a torrid 15-4 run by the club that pulled Pittsburgh within 3½ games of a wild-card spot heading into a two-game set with the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.
Pittsburgh, the only team to not sign a free agent during the offseason despite parting with established stars Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, assumes the remaining $2,049,731 in Archer’s $6.25 million salary.
Diamondbacks: Pushing for the playoffs, Arizona reacquired 38-year-old reliever Brad Ziegler for minor league pitcher Tommy Eveld.
Ziegler pitched for Arizona from 2011 through 2016, compiling a 21-11 record and a 2.49 ERA with 62 saves. He is 1-5 with 10 saves and a 3.98 ERA.
• Left-hander Jake Diekman went from one clubhouse to the other after being dealt by Texas to the Diamondbacks.
INDIANS: Cleveland acquired center fielder Leonys Martin from Detroit for 21-year-old infield prospect Willi Castro.
The Indians also will receive right-hander Kyle Dowdy.
CUBS: Chicago acquired veteran reliever Brandon Kintzler from the Nationals for pitcher Jhon Romero, 23, who is 1-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 32 appearances with Class A Myrtle Beach.
PHILLIES: Philadelphia acquired left-hander Aaron Loup from Toronto for minor league right-hander Jacob Waguespack.
BREWERS: Milwaukee acquired second baseman Jonathan Schoop from Baltimore for second baseman Jonathan Villar and two prospects.
MARINERS: Seattle acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from Miami for minor league infielder Bryson Brigman and international slot money.
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