Matt Gorgen's phone rang Thursday afternoon and has taken few breaks since.
The first call was from Tampa Bay farm director Mitch Lukevics informing Gorgen that he'd been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It set off emotions for Gorgen, who has been with the Rays since the 2008 draft through this year's All-Star season with the Biscuits. Gorgen's move completes the July 31 trade that sent Chad Qualls from Arizona to Tampa Bay.
"It was kind of disbelief, at first," Gorgen said today. "I knew they were looking for a player to be named. You see your friends get traded and you see people you know get traded all the time, but I never thought it would be me."
From there, as word circulated, friends and former teammates started calling and texting. So did some friends Gorgen already has with the Diamondbacks. Mixed in was one from interim Arizona general manager Jerry Dipoto.
"It's been a whirwind last two days," Gorgen said.
The move doesn't change Gorgen's offseason plans. He missed a month this season with tendinitis, but the Southern League still named him its top reliever. Gorgen is scheduled to rest until spring training, though that will now be in Arizona and not Florida.
"With the injury, the tendinitis, they felt my workload was sufficient," Gorgen said. "They want me to take time off."
Gorgen is expected to spend next season at Triple-A Reno.
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