SAN DIEGO — The NL West-leading Padres obtained 36-year-old infielder Miguel Tejada and just more than $1 million from the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for Double-A pitcher Wynn Pelzer.
“It’s a good chance at being in the playoffs, and that’s always good,” said Tejada, who is hitting .269 with seven homers and 39 RBIs.
Rangers acquire Cantu
SAN FRANCISCO — The Rangers acquired third baseman Jorge Cantu from the Marlins for minor-league pitchers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda. Cantu, hitting .262, has 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.
• All-star second baseman Ian Kinsler was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.
Orioles hire Showalter
BALTIMORE — Buck Showalter was hired to manage the Orioles, and interim manager Juan Samuel will return to his job as the team’s third-base coach starting Tuesday.
Showalter, 54, is a two-time AL manager of the year, winning the award in 1994 with the Yankees and 2004 with Texas. His overall record is 882-833 in 11 years.
Strasburg goes on DL
WASHINGTON — Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg went on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
“If he’s 90 percent healthy, we shut him down,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “He’s got to be 100 percent.”
Footnotes.
The Twins acquired closer Matt Capps from the Nationals for minor-leaguers Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa.
• Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner is day to day with a sore right shoulder.
The Associated Press
Major deals piling up as deadline nears
The trade winds blew four big-name players right into the pennant race as Roy Oswalt, Miguel Tejada, Jorge Cantu and Matt Capps left their lower-echelon clubhouses for playoff contenders. Their old and new teams:
Oswalt, RHP
Old: Astros, 42-59, Fifth in NL Central
New: Phillies, 55-46, Second in NL East
Tejada, 3B-SS
Old: Orioles, 31-70, Last in AL East
New: Padres, 60-40, First in NL West
Cantu, 3B-1B
Old: Marlins, 51-51, Fourth in NL East
New: Rangers, 60-42, First in AL West
Capps, reliever
Old: Nats, 44-58, Last in NL East
New: Twins, 56-46, Second in AL Cent.
