The Texas Rangers traded right-handed closer Keone Kela late Monday night to the Pittsburgh Pirates for their No. 7 prospect, left-hander Taylor Hearn, and a player to be named.
The Rangers and Pirates initially said the trade was for two players to be named because the Pirates couldn’t reach Hearn, who is from Royse City. The 6-foot-5 Hearn, who turns 24 on Aug. 30, has hit 98 mph with his fastball, and his best off-speed pitch is a changeup.
Hearn is 3-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 19 starts for Double A Altoona. General manager Jon Daniels said that the Rangers won’t pick the player to be named for a least a few weeks.