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Diamondbacks acquire Rauch

Associated Press

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move to shore up their ailing bullpen on Tuesday by acquiring reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for infield prospect Emilio Bonifacio.

Rauch was 4-2 with 17 saves in 22 chances and a 2.98 ERA for the Nationals. He has struck out 44 and walked seven. Rauch, 29, has been filling in at closer for most of the season for injured Chad Cordero.

Bonifacio entered the season as Arizona’s No. 6 prospect, according to Baseball America. The speedy 23-year-old second baseman from the Dominican Republic was recalled by the Diamondbacks on July 4, and was 2 for 12 in eight games. He hit .302 in 85 games for Triple-A Tucson, with 18 doubles, five triples, a home run, 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

Bonifacio, the fastest base runner in the Diamondbacks’ system and one of the fastest in all of baseball, played for the World team in the Futures game during the All-Star break.

At 6 feet 11, Rauch is the tallest pitcher in major league history, edging out his new Arizona teammate, 6-10 Randy Johnson.

Cox serves suspension

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox sat out against Florida to serve the one-game suspension he earned with a tirade on Sunday.

Cox was suspended for “inappropriate conduct and comments” during Sunday’s 15-6 loss to the Washington Nationals, Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson said. Cox was ejected in the third inning, after Buddy Carlyle issued a bases-loaded walk to force in a run.

Plate umpire Chris Guccione turned to the Braves dugout and cautioned Cox not to come on the field. Cox bounded up the dugout steps anyway and was quickly ejected by Guccione.

Clearing the bases

Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension that takes him through the 2010 season. … The Houston Astros acquired pitcher Randy Wolf from San Diego in exchange for minor leaguer Chad Reineke. … The Washington Nationals say outfielder Wily Mo Pena has had surgery on his left shoulder and will miss the remainder of the season. … Cincinnati Reds right-hander Josh Fogg was hit in the mouth by a ball during batting practice and was taken to a medical center where he got 30 stitches for a split upper lip.