Texas Rangers trade starter to Royals as they prep for returning pitchers

The Texas Rangers landed catcher Carson Kelly in a trade on Sunday night, but Chris Young and the front office aren't done. On Monday morning, the Rangers pulled off a trade that they believe will help him in both the short- and long-term.

The Rangers sent starter Michael Lorenzen to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor-league reliever Walter Pennington. The left-hander had been at Triple-A Omaha for the Royals, and will join the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.

Rangers trade Michael Lorenzen to KC Royals with Tyler Mahle, Jacob deGrom readying for return

While it may seem odd for Texas to deal Lorenzen, the right-hander was scheduled to be a free agent this winter, and the Rangers are banking on the return of a number of their injured starters in the coming weeks.

Tyler Mahle is expected to be back any day now and has rehab start scheduled at Triple-A later this week. Jacob deGrom is inching closer as well after undergoing Tommy John surgery for a second time. There's also Cody Bradford, who was Texas' best starting pitcher before going down earlier this season.

Pennington has appeared in 37 games in the minor leagues this season with an impressive 2.26 ERA in just under 60 innings of work. Though not among the top prospects in Kansas City's farm system, Pennington has 79 punchouts on the season and a relatively modest 8.3% walk rate.

Pennington could be an option to join the major league roster later in the season after making his big league debut for the Royals this year. Pennington made just one appearance out of the Kansas City bullpen, but recorded an out against both batters he faced, including his first major league strikeout.

The Rangers are currently on the outside looking in of the AL Wild Card picture and have lost three straight games. But continued struggles from the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners have the Rangers within striking distance of the AL West division title. Everyone saw the run that Texas made last season, and with Mahle and deGrom on their way back, Rangers fans are hoping for more of the same despite parting with Lorenzen at the MLB trade deadline.

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