Rangers Trade RHP Kelly for Padres Catcher Luis Martinez

The Texas Rangers announced Wednesday they have acquired catcher Luis Martinez from the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-handed pitcher Ryan Kelly.

Below is more from the Rangers on the trade:

Martinez, who has been added to the Rangers’ major league roster, appeared in 22 games over three stints (July 8-16; July 26-Aug. 12; Sept. 2-end of season) with San Diego in 2011, batting .203 (12-59) with one homer and 10 RBI. The right-handed batter made his major league debut on July 15 vs. San Francisco and homered for his first big league hit on July 27 vs. Arizona. The 26-year-old Martinez started 16 games behind the plate for the Padres and did not commit an error in 129 total chances.

Martinez spent the majority of 2011 at Triple-A Tucson, hitting .323 with one homer and 28 RBI in 58 games. He will enter his sixth professional season in 2012 after being selected by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Kelly was 3-6, 3.95 with 9 saves in 40 appearances for Class-A Myrtle Beach in 2011, his fifth pro season. He was acquired from the Oakland organization from RHP Guillermo Moscoso on January 8, 2011.

With this trade, the Rangers have 37 players on their major league roster.

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