Diamondbacks acquire Lopez
Associated Press
July 25, 2001
PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks, trying to strengthen their rotation for the pennant chase, acquired right-hander Albie Lopez and catcher Mike DiFelice from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Wednesday night.
The NL West-leading Diamondbacks sent promising young left-hander Nick Bierbrodt, minor league outfielder Jason Conti and cash to the Devil Rays.
Lopez, who grew up in Mesa, Ariz., and attended Mesa Community College, was 5-12 with a 5.33 ERA with the Devil Rays.
Bierbrodt, who had been scheduled to start Saturday night's game against San Francisco, was the first player drafted by Diamondbacks in 1996. Just 23 years old, he spent most of this season with Triple-A Tucson but was with Arizona at the time of the trade.
Bierbrodt was 2-2 with an 8.22 ERA with the Diamondbacks.
Lopez presumably will take Bierbrodt's scheduled start on Saturday.
Arizona has the best 1-2 pitching punch in the National League with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, but injuries to Todd Stottlemyre, Brian Anderson and Armando Reynoso have left the Diamondbacks without much depth among starters.
Robert Ellis, a 30-year-old rookie, had several strong starts early but has faltered in recent weeks. Miguel Batisa, a part-time reliever, has been Arizona's other starter.
