Left-hander David Wells was traded Thursday from the Boston Red Sox to his hometown San Diego Padres, who are contending for a playoff spot.
"He's a Padre," agent Gregg Clifton told The Associated Press by phone from Arizona. "He's thrilled to be heading back to San Diego and, hopefully, helping get them into the playoffs."
Clifton said Wells had spoken with both general managers involved, Kevin Towers of the Padres and Theo Epstein of the Red Sox.
The defending NL West champion Padres were off Thursday. They were leading the wild-card race by a half game over Philadelphia and trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by three games.
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