MLB Trade Rumors: Arizona Diamondbacks Trade INF Ryan Roberts to Tampa Bay Rays

According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, the Arizona Diamondbacks have traded fan-favorite infielder Ryan Roberts to the Tampa Bay Rays for Double-A infielder Tyler Bortnick.

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#Rays have acquired INF Ryan Roberts from Arizona for Double-A INF Tyler Bortnick. Roberts will be here tommorrow.

— Joe Smith (@TBTimesRays2) July 25, 2012"

Bortnick, who was batting .253 in 95 games with 4 HR and 18 RBI for the Montgomery Biscuits, will report to the D-backs Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces.

Roberts was batting just .250 in 83 games for Arizona, with 6 HR, 9 doubles and 34 RBI.

He was designated for assignment Tuesday to make room for SS John McDonald, who was activated off the disabled list.

Arizona recently recalled third baseman Ryan Wheeler from Reno, where he was scorching pitchers to the tune of a .351 average with 15 HR, 27 doubles and a minor-league leading 90 RBI. So far with the D-backs he is 2-for-9 (.222) in three games—two starts—and has scored twice.

Roberts said he will miss his fans in Arizona, according to SportsIllustrated.com:

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“That’s going to be the number one thing that’s going to be tough for me,” Roberts said. “I’ll definitely miss my teammates. I’ll definitely miss the fans that supported me when things were good and when things were bad. That’s going to be the thing that hits home the most. Four years here, building friendships knowing everybody from (team president) Derrick Hall to the batboys.”

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He likely will play some third base in Tampa Bay while superstar Evan Longoria rehabs his torn left hamstring. Longoria has been out since May 1.

After the Rays best player returns, Roberts could return to the utility role for which he became beloved over the past four years in Arizona.