Rangers trade Dunning to Atlanta for pitcher José Ruiz
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The Dane Dunning era of the Texas Rangers is officially over.
Dunning -- who was the Rangers’ Pitcher of the Year as voted on by the local BBWAA chapter in both 2021 and 2023 -- was traded to the Braves on Thursday night in exchange for right-handed reliever José Ruiz and cash.
Dunning, who was on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 with Texas in 2021, had bounced between Triple-A Round Rock and the Majors in 2025 after being designated for assignment on April 30. After being used primarily as a starter during his first four seasons with Texas, he pitched out of the bullpen in all five of his appearances this season, posting a 3.38 ERA.
Dunning’s best Major League season came in 2023, when he made 26 starts and nine relief appearances and posted a 3.70 ERA in 172 2/3 innings. He had opened the season in the bullpen, but filled in admirably when Jacob deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery that season. But his numbers took a downturn in 2024, when he had a 5.31 ERA for the Rangers in 26 games (15 starts).
He could be a rotation option for a Braves team currently dealing with serious injuries to Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated veteran reliever Jesse Chavez for assignment as a corresponding move.
Ruiz pitched in just two games for Atlanta this season with a 13.50 ERA after beginning his 2025 season with the Phillies. After an 8.16 ERA in 16 games for Philadelphia, he was DFA'd on June 1 and claimed off waivers by the Braves six days later. He will report to Triple-A.
The Rangers completely rebuilt bullpen has been one of the best in baseball this season, posting a 3.37 ERA, good for second in the American League.
The move for the Rangers will more notably open up a 40-man roster spot, which will become necessary in the coming week.
Jon Gray -- who fractured his forearm in Spring Training -- will make one more rehab start this weekend. The club anticipate it being his last before he rejoins the big league club, either on Wednesday or Friday, with a team off-day on Thursday.