Rays acquired RHP Chad Qualls in exchange for a player to be named later.

The rumored move has become official. The Rays will pay the roughly $1.6 million Qualls is owed for the rest of the season. It's a worthwhile gamble, as Qualls has been a very successful reliever prior to this season. He's likely to work the middle innings in Tampa.

The Rays are on the verge of acquiring Chad Qualls from the D-backs in exchange for a player to be named later.

Tampa will pay the roughly $1.6 million Qualls is owed for the rest of the season. The reliever is having a horrid season with the D-backs, posting an 8.29 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. But this is a good buy low opportunity by the Rays, as Qualls has been a very reliable reliever prior to this season's blowup.

Chad Qualls pitched two innings and gave up two earned runs, including a home run, on Tuesday night against the Phillies.

Qualls just isn't showing it this year, and even though many of his underlying statistics are still good, he's making it hard for his employers to trade him with his play right now. Unless he puts together a nice couple of outings, he'll probably stay in Arizona and should be avoided in all fantasy leagues while he's stinking up the joint.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Rays have expressed some interest in Diamondbacks reliever Chad Qualls.

Qualls opened the season as the D'Backs' closer, but he lost the job quickly and is currently sporting an 8.49 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and 32/15 K/BB ratio over 35 innings. Maybe a change of scenery will help him right the ship. The Mets have also been linked to Qualls, but their current level of interest is unknown.

Jeff Fletcher of AOL Fanhouse reports that Diamondbacks reliever Chad Qualls is on the Mets' shopping list.

Maybe they were impressed when he gave up one run on two hits and a walk on Monday night? Qualls has been positively awful all season long, posting an 8.35 ERA in 39 appearances, but he has arguably been one of the most unlucky pitchers in all of baseball. He hardly instills confidence at this point, but he could likely be had for next to nothing.

After entering with the Diamondbacks down by two, Chad Qualls gave up three runs in an inning Wednesday versus the Cubs.

So much for his brief turnaround. Qualls had pitched scoreless innings in four straight appearances, allowing just two hits and no walks in the process. Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer off him tonight.

Diamondbacks interim manager Kirk Gibson was pleased with what he saw from Chad Qualls against the Cubs on Monday night.

"[Monday] night, what I saw was a much more confident Chad Qualls," said Gibson. "I think we've got him on the right track." Qualls has very quietly logged four straight scoreless appearances. With Aaron Heilman failing to inspire much confidence late in games, it might not be long before the sinkerballer gets another shot.

Struggling reliever Chad Qualls was lit up for two earned runs in the eighth inning on Friday night, taking a loss against the Tigers.

Qualls was inserted in a tie game and walked one, gave up three hits and was all-around miserable once again. He's been shelled in each of his last three starts and the former closer could probably use some time off. Aaron Heilman's new gig is even more secure after tonight.

Chad Qualls, who was removed from the closer role this week, said his struggles are not related to an injury.

"Sometimes the ball runs on me when I get the ball up in the zone, and that's a reason a lot of guys are getting hits and getting the ball in the air," said Qualls, who has an 8.46 ERA over 28 appearances this season. "I just have to go back to getting my ground balls." While it's true that Qualls has induced less groundballs this season -- 53.8 percent compared to his 56.9 percent career average -- the most alarming part of his collapse has been his command. Qualls has averaged 4.03 BB/9 this season, a stark contrast to his career average of 2.48 BB/9. There's a chance he regains the closer role this season, but he remains a work in progress for now.

Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch intends to allow Chad Qualls to work through his struggles in an undetermined role.

"I told him that it's not as though I can guarantee him a non-pressure situation to have him work on his delivery and have him work on his pitching motion," said Hinch. "So it might be the seventh or eighth inning, it might be when we're behind, it might be when we're ahead. I just told him to be ready to pitch." Qualls has a bloated 8.46 ERA and 2.19 WHIP in 28 relief appearances with the Diamondbacks this season. Aaron Heilman will get most of the save chances for the interim, but Hinch indicated that the long-term roles were not set in stone.

Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch suggested Sunday that he will explore other options at closer beyond Chad Qualls.

Qualls blew yet another save on Sunday, allowing three runs in the ninth inning in a near-loss to the Cardinals. "It's an ugly scene," said Hinch. "He's bearing the brunt of the struggles in the bullpen, so at some point it has to happen (pulling him), where you can't leave it into fate and decide and try something different." Aaron Heilman is the likely fill-in.

Chad Qualls blew another save on Sunday, this time giving up three runs -- two earned -- in the ninth inning against the Cardinals.

Luckily for Qualls the three runs only tied the game, and Chris Young saved the day with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. With an 8.46 ERA and 2.16 WHIP, Qualls must be looking over his shoulder daily. Luckily for Qualls the only player in the Arizona pen pitching at all well is Aaron Heilman, but Qualls is still only a few more bad outings away from losing his job.

The Twins are monitoring Chad Qualls of the Diamondbacks and David Aardsma of the Mariners, among other relievers, according to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

Twins general manager Bill Smith declined to address how he planned to upgrade the team on Thursday, only saying that "Our biggest need right now is to get healthy." Jon Rauch has filled in admirably for Joe Nathan, posting a 2.63 ERA while going 15-for-17 in save opportunities. Still, don't be surprised to see them in the market for another late-game option.

After entering a tie game to start the ninth, Chad Qualls allowed four runs and five hits in a third of an inning Thursday to take a loss to the Braves.

Every time it looks like Qualls has turned it around, this happens. He hadn't allowed a hit while picking up a win and three saves in four appearances this month. He's still pretty well locked into the closer's role at the moment.

Chad Qualls picked up his 10th save of the season Saturday with a perfect ninth inning in the Diamondbacks' 4-3 win over the Rockies.

Qualls has been pretty awful this season and hadn't recorded a save since May 22, but everything clicked for at least one night. The D'Backs have stuck with him through the struggles and he's worth owning until that changes. The right-hander has a 6.86 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP in 24 outings.

Chad Qualls picked up his ninth save of the season on Saturday with a scoreless ninth inning against the Blue Jays.

Qualls had a fairly miserable start to the 2010 season, but has been nearly perfect in his last three outings. His strikeout numbers have been unimpressive, but he's worth owning and starting as long as saves are coming in.

Chad Qualls recorded his fifth save despite giving up a run in the ninth Monday against the Rockies.

Qualls struck out the side, but not before giving up two hits and a walk. His ERA remained stuck at 9.00, while his WHIP increased to 2.11. He has a ways to go yet.

Diamondbacks' manager A.J. Hinch gave struggling closer Chad Qualls his vote of confidence Friday.

Qualls is one of the many closers who have struggled to start this season, but Hinch is sticking by him. "I understand the question at this point in the season of whether we should reallocate roles," Hinch told The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. "Generally it's when you have three or four guys doing very well and one guy struggling. Right now, it's a lot of guys down there struggling. I believe in Chad Qualls. He has a long track record of being good." Stocking Juan Gutierrez on your bench isn't the worst idea, but Qualls will continue to get the Diamondbacks' save opportunities for the time being.

Chad Qualls struck out two in a perfect ninth for a save versus the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Qualls had given up at least one run in three straight appearances, and this is the first time this month that he's pitched a perfect inning. He's not out of the woods just yet.

Chad Qualls took a second straight blown save after giving up two runs -- one earned -- in the ninth inning Thursday against the Dodgers.

The first run was Qualls' fault, but Stephen Drew threw away what would have been the final out of the game after charging and grabbing a roller to short. The throw sailed into the stands, scoring the tying run, and the Dodgers went on to win in extras.