The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitcher Billy Buckner from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielder Alberto Callaspo, as announced by Diamondbacks' Senior Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes.
Buckner, 24, made his Major League debut in August with the Royals, finishing the season at 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA (20 ER in 34.0 IP). He opened the 2007 campaign in Wichita (AA) before being promoted to Omaha (AAA). He was 9-7 with a 3.78 ERA (44 ER in 104.2 IP) with Omaha and was named Omaha Pitcher of the Year. Buckner has gone 32-29 with a 4.31 ERA (229 ER in 478.1 IP) in 96 career minor league games (80 starts), striking out 433 in 478.1 innings pitched.
Buckner was drafted by the Royals in the second round in 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He was 7-2 with a 3.32 ERA in helping lead the University of South Carolina to the 2004 College World Series.
Callaspo hit .215 (31-for-144) with 8 doubles and 7 RBI in 56 games last season with Arizona.
He fell out of favor with the club after allegations that he assaulted his wife
in May.
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