Rangers strike deal for starter Harrell, reliever Alvarez

The Texas Rangers found a starting pitcher and a reliever Wednesday afternoon, acquiring right-hander Lucas Harrell and left-hander Dario Alvarez from the Atlanta Braves for infielder Travis Demeritte.

Harrell, 31, is a former Houston Astros pitcher who pitched in Korea in 2015. He made only five starts for the Braves this season, all this month, going 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He started the season in the Detroit organization but was released May 16.

Alvarez, 27, opened the season with the New York Mets but was designated for assignment May 23 and claimed by the Braves two days later. He was 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 16 appearances and held opponents to a .200 batting average with 28 strikeouts and five walks.

Demeritte, a 21-year-old from Georgia, was batting .272 with 25 home runs in 88 games for High A High Desert. A first-round pick in 2013, Demeritte played in the Futures Game earlier this month and was enjoying a bounce-back season after having to serve an 80-game suspension last season for testing positive for a banned substance.

To clear room for Harrell, the Rangers designated infielder Matt Duffy for assignment. He had been claimed Saturday from the Astros.

Harrell and Alvarez are expected to join the 25-man roster Thursday.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Rangers strike deal for starter Harrell, reliever Alvarez."