Phillies pick up Oswalt
Roy Oswalt granted his own wish: He’s now part of a pennant race.
The trade wheel of fortune kept spinning with veterans-for-prospects deals that typically dot the stretch run. More swaps were expected before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
The Philadelphia Phillies made the boldest move, getting Oswalt and about $11 million from the Houston Astros for pitcher J.A. Happ and two speedy minor leaguers.
Oswalt agreed to waive his no-trade clause and approved the deal to the two-time defending N.L. champions. The three-time All-Star is set to start tonight at Washington.
The N.L. West-leading San Diego Padres acquired infielder Miguel Tejada from Baltimore for a Double-A pitcher. At 36, the former A.L. MVP was hitting .269 with seven homers and 39 RBIs for the last-place Orioles.
The A.L. West-leading Texas Rangers added another bat for the playoff push, acquiring Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins for two minor league pitchers.
Minnesota acquired All-Star closer Matt Capps from Washington for minor leaguers Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa.
O’s hire Showalter to rebuild franchise
Buck Showalter has been hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles.
Showalter’s first game will be Tuesday night at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels.
Baltimore has the worst record in the majors at 32-70 and is headed toward its 13th straight losing season. The Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Juan Samuel.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a statement.
Samuel will return to his job as the team’s third-base coach.
Rockies president’s death resolved
Investigators have determined that Colorado Rockies president Keli McGregor’s death in April was from natural causes.
McGregor was pronounced dead April 20 after being found in a Salt Lake City hotel room. He was 48.
A-Rod worried about player payments
Alex Rodriguez filed an objection to aspects of next week’s auction of the Texas Rangers, saying he and other former players may not get the millions owed them.
Rodriguez is due $24.9 million in deferred compensation six years after he was traded, and he tops the list of the unsecured creditors in the Rangers’ bankruptcy case.
Clearing the bases
Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler is headed to the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season after straining his left groin. … Oakland right-hander Ben Sheets plans to have surgery soon on his throwing elbow and will miss the remainder of the season.