The Rangers began peeling off tradable assets Thursday on the eve of returning from the All-Star break by sending long reliever Jesse Chavez to the Chicago Cubs. The Rangers will receive Class A left-hander Tyler Thomas.
Thomas, 22, is 3-5 with a 2.88 ERA at low Class A South Bend of the Midwest League. He will go to Class A Hickory. Thomas was a seventh-round pick in 2017 from Fresno State.
Thomas saw his draft stock perhaps slip in 2017 with some late-season struggles. He entered the Cubs system as a slightly-built lefty (6-1, 175 pounds) with a slightly below average fastball, but with a very refined changeup. He has walked just 27 in 941/3 professional innings.
Chavez, a month shy of his 35th birthday, had been an effective long reliever for the Rangers. He pitched 56 innings over 30 games and compiled a 3.51 ERA.
