Twins Trade For Reliever Kevin Jespsen

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Jepsen from the Tampa Bay Rays for two minor league pitching prospects.

The Twins announced the trade on Friday, not long before the deadline to make trades without waivers. The Twins were in search of some help for their struggling bullpen, and Jepsen should step in to help in a setup role for All-Star closer Glen Perkins.

Jepsen went 2-5 with a 2.81 ERA in 46 appearances for the Rays this season. The hard-throwing righty has 34 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old spent his first seven years with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Twins are sending minor league right-handers Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia to Tampa Bay.