Pitcher Anthony Ranaudo has proven to be an epic gas can of a pitcher since he was traded to the Rangers from Boston for Robbie Ross a couple of years ago.
Somehow, he showed the Chicago White Sox something this week -- enough so to where the White Sox actually traded something for Ranaudo on Thursday, sending Class-A pitcher Matt Ball to the Rangers in return.
Ranaudo, in case you've already eliminated it from your memory bank, allowed five runs without allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings on Tuesday against the White Sox. He walked five guys, all of which scored. Of course, the Rangers ended up coming back in that wild 13-11 win, so no harm no foul, but the Rangers had clearly seen enough.
Ranaudo leaves Texas with a 17.18 ERA in 3 2/3 innings and was immediately optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.
Ball, 21, was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 10 appearances in Class-A ball this year. He's clearly a long-shot project guy, but to get anything for Ranaudo has to be considered a victory.