'Pudge' returns to Rangers in trade with Astros

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez is coming home to the

Texas Rangers.

The 14-time All-Star catcher who started his career with the

Rangers at age 19 was acquired in a trade Tuesday with the Houston

Astros for two minor leaguers.

"He brings experience," said Rangers President Nolan Ryan.

"He's a veteran, and he brings us a lot of things."

The 37-year-old Rodriguez signed a one-year, $1.5 million

contract with the Astros in March and went on to hit .251 with

eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 93 games. But the Astros have faded

in the NL playoff chase, while the Rangers went into Tuesday

night's game against Minnesota with a one-game lead in the AL wild

card.

Rodriguez is one of the most popular players in Rangers history,

winning 10 of his 13 Gold Gloves with the team. He helped lead the

franchise's only three playoff teams in 1996, 1998 and 1999, when

he won the AL MVP award.

Rodriguez caught 1,426 games in Texas, second in club history to

Jim Sundberg's 1,495. He hit .305 with 215 home runs and 829 RBIs

with the Rangers.

He left when the club refused to offer salary arbitration after

the 2002 season. He signed with Florida and immediately won a World

Series, then went to another World Series in five seasons with

Detroit.

"It's huge for our fan base," said infielder Michael Young.

"He might be the best player in the history of our organization

and probably the most popular. This is just a great move on all

fronts."

Rangers outfielder David Murphy said he will give up his No. 7,

the number Rodriguez wore throughout his time with the Rangers and

much of his career. Murphy said he'll switch to No. 14.

Known to fans by his childhood nickname "Pudge," Rodriguez got

several standing ovations in Arlington in June when he set the

major league record for games caught with 2,227. He figures to back

up Taylor Teagarden, who became the starting catcher when Jarrod

Saltalamacchia went on the disabled list last week..

There was no immediate word on the minor leaguers the Astros

received in exchange for Rodriguez.

The Rangers also placed infielder Esteban German on the disabled

list with a right groin strain, retroactive to Friday. The team

recalled right-handed reliever Guillermo Moscoso from Triple-A

Oklahoma to fill his spot on the active roster.

Moscoso was 5-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 games with Oklahoma. He

has made five relief appearances for the Rangers, allowing four

earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.

By SCHUYLER DIXON-Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)