Updated with analysis and quotes: Red Sox acquire RHP Nathan Eovaldi from Rays for Jalen Beeks

The Red Sox today acquired right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from Tampa Bay in exchange for left-hander Jalen Beeks.

The hard-throwing Eovaldi was 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA and 0.982 WHIP for the Rays this season after spending the previous two with the Yankees. He was 14-3 with a 4.20 ERA with New York in 2015.

The Red Sox had been spending most of their attention on trying to improve their bullpen in advance of next Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline, but had also been working to identify some depth starter options. On Tuesday afternoon, the Rays front office was soliciting input from scouts in their organization on Beeks in anticipation of a potential deal with the Red Sox.

Shortly after Drew Pomeranz performed poorly (4 four runs over 4.2 innings) in his return to the rotation Tuesday night at Camden Yards, the Sox agreed to terms of the deal with Tampa Bay late Tuesday night and made the deal official Wednesday morning after reviewing medical records.

"He's been pitching very well,'' said Dave Dombrowski of Eovaldi. "We've had some starting pitching injuries; he gives us depth in that regard. He also can be a guy that can slip into the bullpen as time goes on. He's been a very effective pitcher. Also, he's been part of a pennant race in the A.L. East, he's pitched in New York. There's a lot of things we like about him..This is a big need for us. It gives us an extra arm that we really like.''

Dombrowski said the Sox first expressed interest in Eovaldi two or three weeks ago, with the deal picking up steam in recent days.

"There's been a lot of talk about starting pitching out there in general,'' said Dombrowski. "He's a guy who fit for us. We thought it was appropriate to move quickly, rather than wait for uncertainties.''

Eovaldi, 28, is eligible for free agency this fall. He missed all of last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery late in the 2016 season, then returned to the roster earlier this year and in 10 starts for Tampa Bay was 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA.  He's impressed scouts of late with a good run, with a 3.58 ERA over his last five outings.

In one of those starts, he was rocked for eight runs in just 2.2 innings against the Twins. But in the other four, he pitched at least six innings and never allowed more than two earned runs.

In seven seasons in the big leagues, Eovaldi is 41-50 with a 4.22 ERA, spending time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees and Rays.

BSJ analysis

Eovaldi joins the rotation at a time when the Sox are dealing with a number of injuries to their staff. Eduardo Rodriguez is sidelined with ligament damage in his right ankle and remains in a walking boot until this weekend. His return is, at best, weeks away. Meanwhile, Steven Wright is dealing with inflammation and discomfort in his surgically-repaired knee and his return is uncertain.

Currently, four Red Sox starters -- Chris Sale, David Price, Brian Johnson and Pomeranz -- are lefthanded so the righthanded Eovaldi gives them some balance. He's been tough on righty hitters season, limiting them to a .207 batting average against.

"You can't always get what you prefer,'' said Dombrowski, "but we did think that a righthander would be better. We're predominantly lefthanded in the rotation and this gives us a second righthander to go with (Rick) Porcello. So, yeah, it made a difference.''

Beeks had drawn some interest from the Orioles as they were shopping closer Zach Britton. Ultimately, the Red Sox came up short in their bid for the reliever, but Dombrowski said Wednesday that adding a starter -- as opposed to a reliever -- was "the fit was better, to get someone like (Eovaldi).''

Beeks was enjoying a breakthrough season at Pawtucket, with a 5-5 mark and 2.89 ERA in 15 starts for Pawtucket. He made one spot start in Boston in which he was hit hard, allowing six runs over four innings in a June 7 start against Detroit. He made a relief appearance earlier this month during a brief call-up to Boston and was tagged for three runs in 2.1 innings against Texas.

He was considered one of the few Red Sox starting pitching prospects at the upper levels of the Red Sox system, and while Eovaldi is only under Boston's control for the remainder of this season, Beeks could develop further and, pitching in the same division, potentially come back to haunt the Red Sox.