The Texas Rangers traded right-hander Dane Dunning to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher José Ruiz and cash considerations, the teams announced.
To make room for Dunning on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated veteran pitcher Jesse Chavez for assignment.
Dunning, 30, helped the Rangers win the franchise's first World Series title in 2023. He enjoyed a breakout season that year, posting a 3.70 ERA with 140 strikeouts over 35 appearances (26 starts). In the 2023 World Series against Arizona, Dunning didn't allow a run in three relief appearances.
He's been unable to replicate those 2023 numbers, though. Dunning was limited to 26 appearances and 15 starts in 2024 while battling shoulder issues, and his ERA spiked to 5.31.
The Rangers outrighted Dunning off the 40-man roster in March after a rough spring training. He returned to the majors in April, but has spent most of this season at Triple-A, while pitching in just five big-league games with Texas. Dunning put up a 4.47 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 18 walks over 12 outings (11 starts) in Triple-A.
Dunning adds some much-needed pitching depth to a Braves staff that's been hit hard by injuries all year and is missing four key starters. He could be used as either a starter or long reliever, based on the state of Atlanta's staff.
The native of Orange Park, Florida, is earning $2.66 million this season, and has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Ruiz, 30, has made 282 big-league appearances over parts of nine big-league seasons with five teams. This year, he's put up an 8.82 ERA over 16 1/3 innings in the majors, split between the Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
Ruiz had been pitching for the Braves' Triple-A affiliate at the time of the trade, and was not on Atlanta's 40-man roster. Texas immediately optioned the Venezuela native to Triple-A Round Rock.
