Cubs agree to trade Garza to Rangers

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday, because the Cubs have reached an agreement to trade Garza to the Texas Rangers, multiple media outlets reported.

As many as four players are headed to the Cubs in exchange for Garza, with two minor-league prospects -- third baseman Mike Oltand pitcher C.J. Edwards -- as well as pitcher Justin Grimm being part of the package going to Chicago, according to Foxsports.com. A player to be named later is also expected to be sent to Chicago.

Garza and the other players must still pass physicals for the deal to be completed.

Garza, 29, is 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 71 innings this season. Since June 11, he is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 43 2/3 innings.

He did not pitch until May 21 this season because of a strained left lat, and he did not pitch after July 21 last season because of a stress reaction in his right elbow.

Garza is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2013 season, so this deal could keep Garza in Texas for just a few months unless he signs an extension.

Texas started Monday in second place in the American League East, three games behind the Oakland A's. The Rangers rank second in the American League in earned run average but feel they need another reliable starter to compete down the stretch and the playoffs.

Olt, 24, is hitting .219 with 12 homers this season in Double-A and Triple-A.

Edwards, 21, is 8-2 with a 1.82 ERA in 93 1/3 innings for Class-A Hickory.

Grimm, 24, is 7-7 with a 6.37 ERA for the Rangers in 17 starts this season.