DALLAS (Reuters) - The American League West-leading Texas Rangers made another move to close in on their first postseason berth in 11 years by acquiring infielder Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins Thursday.
The Rangers will send minor league pitchers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda, currently recovering from elbow surgery, to Florida, with the Marlins picking up a large portion of Cantu's salary, according to Major League Baseball's official website (www.mlb.com).
The 28-year-old Cantu will give the Rangers a right-handed bat who can play both corner infield spots. Earlier this month, Texas acquired ace left-hander Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners.
Cantu, who hit 28 homers for Tampa Bay in 2005 and 29 for Florida in 2008, was batting .259 with 10 homers and 54 runs batted in this season.
Earlier Thursday, the Rangers placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the disabled list with a strained left groin muscle.
(Writing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Steve Ginsburg)
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