Twins acquire pitcher Eddie Guardado from Texas

Twins acquire pitcher Eddie Guardado from Texas

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired lefthanded pitcher Eddie Guardado from the Texas Rangers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Mark Hamburger.

Guardado, 37, was 3-3, 3.65 ERA (49.1 ip, 20 er) and converted all four of his save opportunities in 55 appearances for the Rangers this season. He allowed just three home runs while walking 17 and striking out 28, while holding opponents to a .220 (38-for-173) batting average. Guardado has a career record of 44-58 with a 4.27 ERA (899.1 ip, 427 er), with 331 walks and 773 strikeouts. He has 187 career saves (232 opportunities), including 116 with the Twins, which ranks third on the Twins All-Time list behind Rick Aguilera (254) and Joe Nathan (195).

Hamburger, 21, was 1-2, 4.17 ERA (36.2 ip, 17 er) with 13 saves (14 opportunities) in 27 appearances for the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League) this season. He was named to the Appalachian League Postseason All-Star Team as well as being named the Appalachian League Closer of the Year.

To make room for Guardado on the 25-man roster, the Twins will make a corresponding roster move upon his arrival in Seattle.