ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handed reliever Tyler Wells from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitching prospect Michael Forret, adding a proven arm to a bullpen already anchored by All-Star closer Bryan Baker.

Wells, 31, posted a 2.67 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 54 innings over 43 appearances for Baltimore this season — his first full year as a reliever. The 6-foot-8, 270-pound right-hander is expected to join the Rays at Coors Field on Tuesday and slot into the back end of the bullpen alongside Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger and Cam Booser as late-inning options in front of Baker.

“He’s made a seamless transition to the bullpen. I know he was kind of in that starter role for a while, and just whenever he maintains health, he’s going to be a good big league pitcher,” Baker said. “It’ll be good to reunite with Tyler and get him over here and see what we can do with him. I think he’s obviously had a really good year, and I think we can build on that, for sure.”

Wells still carries a starter’s arsenal with five pitches but has leaned on his fastball, cutter and changeup in relief. Manager Kevin Cash noted Wells has relatively neutral platoon splits, posting a .516 OPS against left-handed hitters and a .740 OPS against right-handers this season. He also comes with an additional year of club control after this season. Cash said former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, now part of Tampa Bay’s baseball operations department, endorsed the deal.

“Talking to Brandon Hyde over the last couple of days and weeks about the potential and seeing if he was available, he spoke really highly of him,” Cash said. “I know he’s dealt with some injuries, but he’s put together a really solid season this year, so definitely will add to our bullpen.”

Baker, who arrived from Baltimore’s bullpen roughly 13 months ago, said the Rays’ pitching philosophy suits Wells. “The fastball-changeup combo is there, and I think we seem to be a staff that really likes that combo,” Baker said. “I think we’ll probably see some changeups out of him, but he’s got a lot of stuff that goes with it, too. … I’m excited to see him and let him get settled in over here like I did last year.”

To complete the deal, Tampa Bay parted with Forret, its No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and the highest-ranked minor leaguer the club dealt this deadline season. Forret originally came to the Rays from Baltimore in the offseason trade for starter Shane Baz. President of baseball operations Erik Neander acknowledged the irony of sending the prospect back to the organization that developed him.

“Mike’s a straight shooter, very similar in that way. We needed a reliever. They had one. They liked a starter they had familiarity with, and we made the swap,” Neander said. “You get on the horn, and you figure out what they’re looking to do, what we’re looking to do, and this time it meant sending Michael Forret, who’s a really good starting pitcher prospect, back to the team where he started.”

Wells is expected to be available out of the Rays’ bullpen when the team opens its series in Colorado on Tuesday.