CHICAGO — The Texas Rangers have acquired Alex Rios from the Chicago White Sox, beefing up their outfield for the stretch run with All-Star Nelson Cruz suspended.
The White Sox will receive a player to be named later or cash. The teams announced the move on Friday.
The Rangers, who began the day a percentage point behind Oakland for the AL West lead, were looking for help. Cruz, their All-Star right fielder and 2011 AL championship series MVP, was suspended 50 games Monday by Major League Baseball following its investigation into the Biogenesis clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. He was leading the Rangers with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs.
Rios, 32, is batting .277 with 12 home runs, 26 stolen bases, 55 RBIs and 57 runs scored. He joined the White Sox after he was claimed off waivers from Toronto on Aug. 10, 2009.
