Notes: Rangers deal Shouse
Lefty sent to Milwaukee for infielder
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
BOSTON -- The Rangers have found a taker for left-handed pitcher Brian Shouse, trading him to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday for Minor League infielder Enrique Cruz and a player to be named later. Shouse, the Rangers' top left-handed setup reliever from 2003-05, had a 4.15 ERA in six appearances before going on the disabled list April 15 with a strained left calf. He was designated for assignment on Monday. Shouse is from Illinois and general manager Jon Daniels said, "This is a good opportunity for Brian. For what he has done for us, we were glad to put him in a position where he can flourish with a contending club and be close to his home in the Midwest. Hopefully this is a win-win for everybody."
Cruz is a shortstop who was playing at Triple-A Nashville and hitting .261 with five doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs over 24 games. He can play second and third as well. "We can move him around," Daniels said. "He's versatile with good hands, a plus arm, a good defender [and someone] who puts the ball in play." Because Joaquin Arias is playing shortstop at Triple-A Oklahoma, Cruz is being assigned to Double-A Frisco. The Brewers originally acquired Cruz from the New York Mets in the 2002 Rule 5 Draft, and he spent the entire 2003 season with them as a backup infielder. In 60 games, he was 6-for-71 (.085) with four walks and 30 strikeouts. He spent the 2005 season at Double-A and finished the season ranked second in games played (137) and hits (149), third in doubles (34) and total bases (231) and seventh in batting average (.300) among Southern League leaders.
With Shouse gone, the Rangers are going with C.J. Wilson and Ron Mahay as their left-handed relievers at the Major League level, with Erasmo Ramirez, Kevin Walker and John Rheinecker also possibilities if needed at Triple-A.
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