The Padres traded longtime outfielder Will Venable to the Rangers Tuesday for minor league catcher Marcus Greene Jr. and a player to be named later.
Greene is 21 and a .250 liftetime batting average in parts of three minor league seasons since being drafted by Texas in the 16th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of New Mexico Junior College.
The Palm Springs native is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Prior to undergoing the surgery, he spent this entire season with Single-A Hickory of the South Atlantic League, where he hit .218 (17-for-78) with five doubles, five home runs, nine RBI in 25 games.
As for Venable, the Austin, Texas, native had spent his entire professional career with the Padres organization since being selected in the seventh round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Princeton University. He owns a lifetime .252 batting average in parts of eight Major League seasons with the Friars.
Venable has been the subject of trade rumors for the past few seasons, but this move comes at a curious time with the Padres more than 10 games back of the second wildcard spot.
