Pat Cantwell traded, Chi Chi Gonzalez improving

The Texas Rangers announced yesterday that minor league catcher Pat Cantwell had been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later or cash. In addition, it was revealed that pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez had a good result on the MRI on his elbow, and is expected to ramp up throwing in two weeks.

The trade of Cantwell appears to be the by-product of an overflow of catchers in the upper minors. Brett Nicholas was just activated from the disabled list and assigned to AAA Round Rock, which also has A.J. Jimenez and Brett Hayes as veteran depth. At AA, Jose Trevino is the everyday guy (and has established himself as a legitimate prospect), which Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the primary backup.

The logjam meant that Cantwell, a third round pick in 2012 who signed for well below slot, wasn't in a place to get significant time behind the plate. Cantwell gets high marks for his defense and makeup, but hasnt hit in the upper minors, making it unlikely he has a major league future other than in an emergency situation.

Chi Chi Gonzalez, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a partial tear of his right UCL this spring, and opted for a regimen of rest and rehab, along with a platelet-rich plasma injection. His latest MRI showed significant improvement in his UCL, and so it sounds like he will start throwing in a couple of weeks, and perhaps be looking at going on a rehab assignment at some point in June.