Rangers Deal Gagne to Boston

Gagne is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 16-for-17 in save opportunities.

Photo courtesy: MLB.com

BOSTON - The Rangers have traded pitcher Eric Gagne to the Boston Red Sox for Major League pitcher Kason Gabbard and Minor League outfielders David Murphy and Engel Beltre.

Gabbard is 4-0 with a 3.73 ERA in seven starts for the Red Sox this year.

The trade was completed just after the Rangers announced that they had traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves.

"It's a big day for the Rangers," owner Tom Hicks said.

Gabbard, who lasted started for the Red Sox on July 26, is expected to join the Rangers immediately.

Murphy, 26, was hitting .280 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs in 100 games and 400 at-bats for Triple-A Pawtucket.

He has played in 23 Major League games and is 6-for-24 with one home run and two RBIs.

Beltre is an 18-year-old from the Dominican Republic who batted .215 with five home runs, 13 RBIs and six stolen bases for the Gulf Coast Red Sox.

Gagne was 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 16-for-17 in save opportunities.

The deal would leave the Rangers without a closer on the active roster. A.J. Murray is being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma.

Akinori Otsuka is on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow/forearm area and is not expected back until later in August.

The Rangers will likely try to get by with some combination of right-handers Joaquin Benoit and Frank Francisco and left-hander C.J. Wilson.

Story by: T.R. Sullivan

Courtesy: MLB.com

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