Padres trade outfielder Will Venable to Rangers

The Texas Rangers have acquired outfielder Will Venable in a trade from the Padres, the clubs announced Tuesday. In return, the Padres get minor-league catcher/outfielder Marcus Greene and a player to be named later.

Venable, 32, is hitting .258/.318/.378 with 10 doubles, three triples, six homers and 11 steals this season. He’s had some very good seasons in his career — with 22 doubles, 22 homers and 22 steals in 2013 — and is able to handle all three outfield positions. He has a penchant for the highlight-reel catch out there, too.

The deal for Venable comes in the wake of outfielder Leonys Martin being placed on the disabled list. Even with this injury, it’s unlikely Venable is going to be slated — at least initially — as an everyday player. Delino DeShields is having an excellent season in center and Shin-Soo Choo has been manning right. Josh Hamilton can handle left, and the DH spot is mostly occupied by Prince Fielder. Venable has great value as a fourth outfielder and it looks like that will be his job in Texas.

The Rangers entered Tuesday night three games back in the AL West and one back of the second wild card spot in the AL.

Greene, 20, was the Rangers’ 16th-rounder in 2013 and played just 25 games for Class A Hickory this season before being shut down following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in June He hit .218/.365/.500 with five doubles and five homers while catching 12 games and serving as the DH 12 times (along with one pinch-hit appearance). He’s played 16 games in the outfield in the minors in his career.

Will Venable is headed to Texas. (USATSI)

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