ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired outfielder Matt Joyce from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-handed reliever Kevin Jepsen.
The clubs announced the deal Tuesday.
Joyce batted .254 with nine homers and 52 RBIs last season, his seventh in the majors and sixth with Tampa Bay. The 2011 All-Star and Tampa native has 88 homers and 313 RBIs in his career.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said he envisions Joyce as the team’s primary designated hitter next season, supplanting youngster C.J. Cron.
Jepsen was the Angels’ seventh-inning specialist last season, his seventh with the team. He established career bests with 65 innings pitched, 75 strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA.
Jepsen was drafted by the Angels in 2002. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 315 appearances.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
