The Detroit Tigers have acquired left-handed pitcher Chad Bell from the Texas Rangers in exchange for catcher Bobby Wilson, the team announced.
After the Tigers activated James McCann off the 15-day disabled list, the team had to either option Wilson to Triple-A Toledo or get designated for assignment. Instead, the Tigers were able to trade the catcher to the Rangers.
Wilson, believe it or not, was acquired by the Tigers from the Rangers on March 29, 2016. Detroit dealt away catcher Bryan Holaday to get Wilson. The 33-year-old was called up from the Mud Hens once McCann got knocked out of action with an ankle injury.
Texas will use Wilson to help get through without starting catcher Robinson Chirinos. Chirinos is on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right forearm that he suffered on April 9, 2016. Holaday and Wilson will work behind the plate in the absence of the 31-year-old starting catcher.
Chirinos was formally an infielder, but worked extremely hard to claim his role as a catcher. Due to his health, he probably will not crack 100 games behind the plate.
Wilson is a career .203/.266/.299 hitter in the majors. He is just depth for the time being. To make room for the time being, the Rangers have designated catcher Chris Gimenez for assignment. Gimenez was sent on a rehab assignment a few days ago after he hit the disabled list to start the season with an infection in his ankle.
Bell, who the Tigers acquired, was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA for Triple-A Round Rock this season. Through 18 innings, the pitched logged 19 strikeouts. The 27-year-old owned a 4.58 ERA and a 118-to-43 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 141.1 innings with Double-A Frisco.
Wilson will head to Triple-A Toledo and get a good amount of looks, but he is just organizational depth.