Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - The Boston Red Sox on Thursday acquired veteran left-handed reliever Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals for a pair of minor leaguers.

Stanton's acquisition comes as the Red Sox prepare for a crucial three-game series with the Yankees beginning on Friday at Fenway Park. Boston entered Thursday's action one game behind New York in the American League East.

The 38-year-old Stanton, who was designated for assignment by New York on June 30 and signed with Washington on July 13, is 3-3 on the year with a 4.75 earned run average in a combined 58 games for the Yankees and Nationals.

A 17-year-veteran, Stanton is the active major league leader in appearances with 1,026, seventh-most in baseball history. For his career he is 60-53 with 76 saves and a 3.80 ERA with the Braves (1989-95), Red Sox (1995-96) Rangers (1996), Yankees (1997-2002, 2005), Mets (2003-04) and Nationals (2005).

Stanton has pitched in the playoffs in 11 of his major-league seasons with Atlanta, Boston, Texas and the Yankees as well as six World Series. He will not be eligible for the post-season roster, should Boston reach the playoffs.

During his first stint in the Bronx from 1997-2002, Stanton was a key reliever on three World Series championship teams.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox transferred pitcher Wade Miller from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

The Nationals acquired pitchers Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta in the deal.