Rangers continue working to acquire Garza
Texas in talks with Cubs about top pitcher on market as Trade Deadline nears
ARLINGTON -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and various assistants buried themselves in their offices Friday afternoon, working on a deal to acquire pitcher Matt Garza from the Cubs.
As various names get tossed into the rumor mill -- most notably top infielder prospects Mike Olt and Luis Sardinas, and pitchers Neil Ramirez and C.J. Edwards -- indications are that the talks continue, but with no resolution in sight as the Rangers prepared to open the second half against the Orioles.
"I'll get excited if what we're talking about comes to fruition," manager Ron Washington said. "I'm not going to get excited if the property we're talking about is not ours. This is a tough business. You've got to play with what you have. That's the attitude we have."
If Ramirez is involved in the deal, it didn't keep him from starting for Double-A Frisco in the first game of a doubleheader Friday night against Corpus Christi. Garza is with the Cubs in Colorado and is supposed to pitch Monday. He threw a bullpen session Friday, then told reporters there is nothing new.
"Just sitting and waiting," Garza said.
The Rangers are preparing to start Ross Wolf on Saturday against the Orioles. Wolf, who has made two starts and 11 relief appearances since being called up from Triple-A Round Rock, would be knocked out of the rotation if the Rangers acquire Garza.
Wolf is replacing Justin Grimm, who was sent to the bullpen. Grimm left his last start before the All-Star break with stiffness in his right forearm, but played catch Thursday and is expected to be available Friday night.
Grimm is the Rangers' backup plan if Alexi Ogando isn't ready to pitch Tuesday against the Yankees. But Ogando rejoined the Rangers on Friday, a day after he allowed two runs in seven innings in a Triple-A rehab start. He'll throw a bullpen session Sunday, and if that goes well, he will start for the Rangers on Tuesday.