Reds trade Dunn to Diamondbacks

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday acquired slugging outfielder Adam Dunn from the Cincinnati Reds for a minor league pitcher and two players to be named.

The 28-year-old Dunn is batting .233 this season with 32 home runs, tied for the major league lead. The trade gives the first-place Diamondbacks, who began the day with a 1 1/2 -game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West, a boost to an anemic offense. The Diamondbacks rank 20th in the majors in runs.

The Diamondbacks sent right-hander Dallas Buck to the Reds in Monday’s trade.

Dunn, who had to be waived by the Reds before he could be traded, has a career .247 batting average with 270 homers and is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

“It was one of those pleasant surprises,” Dunn said. “To come off the terrible month that we had in Cincinnati, and you get a phone call today saying you’re being traded to a first-place team. As a player that’s all you could ask for.”

The Reds are last in the NL Central and on a six-game losing streak. The Dunn trade comes after their July 31 deal that sent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox for relief pitcher Nick Masset and a triple-A player.