Rays Acquire RHP Virgil Vasquez from Pirates

The Rays have acquired RHP Virgil Vasquez from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

Vasquez, 27. has made 19 appearances (10 stars) in the majors between Detroit and Pittsburgh, going 2-6 with a 6.60 ERA. He went 2-4 with a 5.87 mark last year, but advanced metrics indicate he deserved slightly better than that.

The righthander has put up solid numbers in Triple-A over his career, and could be a solid fifth starter if given the chance (not that the Rays need him in that role right now).

Vasquez’s best pitch is a sharp mid-80’s slider. He also throws an 88-92 mph fastball, changeup, and slow curveball.

He’ll likely head to Triple-A as rotation insurance.