Galarraga Is Traded to Giants for Prospects

The Big Cat is back in the playoff chase.

The infectious smile of first baseman Andres Galarraga was wider than usual Tuesday after he was traded from the last-place Texas Rangers to the playoff-contending San Francisco Giants.

“To be platooning with a team that is in last place was really uncomfortable for me and also for the organization,” Galarraga said. “I think the best thing happened. I’m happy to be traded, especially to a team in the race for the playoffs.”

The Giants entered Tuesday night’s game at Colorado 5 1/2 games behind the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Texas was 31 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.

Galarraga, 40, hit .235 in 72 games for the Rangers with 10 homers and 34 runs batted in. In recent weeks, he platooned with Ruben Sierra as the designated hitter and occasionally gave Rafael Palmeiro a break at first.

In return, the Rangers received left-hander Erasmo Ramirez and outfielder Chris Magruder, who were at triple-A Fresno, and right-hander Todd Ozias, who was at double-A Shreveport.

Left-handed pitcher Kenny Rogers, who will sit out the rest of the season because of a circulatory problem in his throwing shoulder, was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Rangers.

Rogers is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday. This is the first time in his 13 major league seasons that he has been on the disabled list.

J.D. Drew took batting practice for the first time since suffering a broken right hand June 17, and the St. Louis Cardinal outfielder will begin soon a rehabilitation stint at Class-A Peoria.

“It feels good,” he said. “My timing’s off, but it will come back.”

Boston Red Sox right-hander Bret Saberhagen is ready to pitch in the major leagues again and will start Friday against the Chicago White Sox.

“I don’t foresee having a problem,” Saberhagen said after throwing 45 pitches off a mound in his recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Red Sox also announced they have finalized their contract with Cuban defector Rolando Viera. The 27-year-old left-hander, selected in the seventh round of June’s draft, gets a $175,000 signing bonus, of which $60,000 is payable within 15 days after the contract is approved by the commissioner’s office.

Nomar Garciaparra of the Red Sox returned from wrist surgery and went 0 for 3 for triple-A Pawtucket, his first game since September.

He said he experienced only some soreness during Pawtucket’s 11-8 victory over the Indianapolis Indians at Indianapolis.

An infant son born to Florida Marlin center fielder Preston Wilson died 10 days after being born three months premature.

Preston Bernell William Wilson V, born July 13, died Monday night at a South Florida hospital.