The Diamondbacks have acquired starter Jeremy Hellickson in a trade with the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports. The Rays have acquired minor league shortstop Andrew Velazquez and outfielder Justin Williams.
Hellickson, 27, has had it tough over the past couple of years. The 2011 American League Rookie of the Year has an aggregate 5.00 ERA with a 189/71 K/BB ratio over the past two seasons. He underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on January 30 and didn’t make his 2014 season debut until July 8.
Velazquez, 20, was drafted by the D-Backs in the seventh round of the 2012 draft. This past season at Single-A South Bend, he hit .290/.367/.428 with nine home runs and 15 RBI.
Williams, 19, was taken by the D-Backs in the second round of the 2013 draft. Between rookie ball with Missoula and with Single-A South Bend, he hit .351/.403/.467 with four home runs and 46 RBI.
