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MLB: Rangers acquire Garza from Cubs


Matt Garza goes from the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers. Tami Chappell/REUTERS

The Texas Rangers' rotation is getting reinforcements.

The Rangers acquired right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs on Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) in exchange for a handful of minor-leaguers.

The Cubs received third baseman Mike Olt and right-handed pitchers C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm. Chicago also will get two players to be named. According to the Chicago Tribune, one of the additional players could be right-hander Neil Ramirez.

Texas also activated Yu Darvish from the disabled list for a start Monday night (Tuesday, PHL time) against the New York Yankees, and Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando is scheduled to come off the DL to start Tuesday.

Garza was scratched from his scheduled start Monday night (Tuesday, PHL time) against the Arizona Diamondbacks before the trade was officially announced. The 29-year-old veteran is 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 71 innings this season. Since June 11, he is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 43 2/3 innings.

He did not pitch until May 21 this season because of a strained left lat, and he did not pitch after July 21 last season because of a stress reaction in his right elbow.

Garza is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2013 season, so the deal could keep Garza in Texas for just a few months unless he signs an extension.

Texas began play Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) in second place in the American League West, three games behind the Oakland A's. The Rangers rank second in the American League in earned run average but felt they need another reliable starter to compete down the stretch and the playoffs.

The Cubs finished the weekend 16 games out of first place in the National League Central and 11 games out of a playoff position. They dealt right-hander Scott Feldman and catcher Steve Clevenger to the Baltimore Orioles on July 2 for pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop.

Olt, 24, is hitting .219 with 12 homers in 68 games this season in Double-A and Triple-A. He batted .152 in 16 games with Texas last year.

Edwards, 21, is 8-2 with a 1.82 ERA in 93 1/3 innings for Class A Hickory.

Grimm, 24, is 7-7 with a 6.37 ERA for the Rangers in 17 starts this season.

Ramirez, 24, is 9-3 with a 3.68 ERA in 18 starts for Double-A Frisco. He has 117 strikeouts and 40 walks in 95 1/3 innings. - Reuters