The Texas Rangers have executed their third trade this week, but this time it was with a team in their division. On the free agent market, starting pitcher Johan Santana has experienced a setback in his journey to pitch in the MLB this upcoming season.
Last week it was noted the Houston Astros were looking to trade outfielder Dexter Fowler and one of their two catchers - Carlos Corporan or Jason Castro. They began by trading Fowler to the Chicago Cubs on Monday in exchange for third baseman Luis Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily. Today they sent Corporan to the Texas Rangers for undisclosed players, according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle.
The 31-year-old Corporan served as the backup to Castro in 2014 and has been in that role for his four-year tenure with the Astros. He slashed .235/.302/.376 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in 55 games this past season and should assume a similar role in Texas, as the team has veteran Robinson Chirinos and youngsters Tomas Telis and Jorge Alfaro listed at the catcher position on their depth chart. Corporan avoided arbitration with the Astros last week and agreed to a one-year, $975,000 deal.
The veteran catcher joins starter Yovani Gallardo and reliever Gonzalez Germen as the Rangers' latest acquisitions.
As for news on the free agent market, starter Johan Santana was planning on making a comeback to pitch in the MLB in 2015. He attempted one in 2014 with the Baltimore Orioles, but tore his Achilles tendon and was held out of action for the third straight season. Unfortunately, it looks like his journey this time around will again be affected by an injury.
"[Santana], who reappeared with Magallanes, after 13 years of absence, has discomfort in the front of the left shoulder and appears to be ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs," according to Nelson Medina Arnias of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. "The news was announced by the pitching coach of the Navegantes, Edwin Hurtado."
The 35-year-old pitched last Tuesday for the Venezuelan club and tossed two scoreless innings and retired all six batters in a row. He missed a start on Sunday and it was believed he would make it up on Thursday, but it appears he won't be pitching for the team again. Arnias noted Santana underwent an MRI and it revealed no structural damage, but the news isn't good for the left-hander, who has already had two surgeries on his throwing shoulder.
The Yankees, Padres and Blue Jays were among six teams said to be interested in the veteran this offseason, but it looks like that could change depending on the severity of the injury.
