BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Expos Send Boyd to Rangers

Right-hander Oil Can Boyd was traded Sunday by the Montreal Expos to the Texas Rangers, who wanted to bolster their rotation for a run at the American League West title.

The Expos got minor league pitchers Jonathan Hurst and Joey Eischen, plus a player yet to be named. Boyd was 6-8 with a 3.52 earned-run average for Montreal, and pitched a five-hit shutout against San Francisco Friday night.

“I expected it, and I’m glad to be going to someone who wants me to pitch for them,” said Boyd, who can become a free agent at the end of the season. “But I want to come back to the National League next year. I like it better here and I think it’s better for me.”

Boyd, 31, returns to the league where he made his debut with the Boston Red Sox in 1982. He is scheduled to start Wednesday night at Arlington, Tex., against the Red Sox, the team for which he pitched through the 1989 season.

The Oakland Athletics, whose pitching staff has been plagued by injuries this season, put Mike Moore on the 15-day disabled list. Moore, 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA, suffered aggravation of a groin injury in his last start, against the New York Yankees, and left after three innings.