Now clearly out of playoff contention, the Texas Rangers have traded their closer.

Eddie Guardado has been traded to the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger.

To replace Guardado on the 25- and 40-man rosters, the Rangers has purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Bill White from Triple-A Oklahoma. White will be available in the bullpen for tonight's game in Kansas City.

Hamburger, 21, has spent the entire season with Elizabethton of the Appalachian League, going 1-2 with 13 saves and a 4.17 ERA (17 ER/36.2 IP) in 27 relief appearances. He was recently named the league's Closer of the Year and selected for the postseason All-Star squad.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-hander allowed no walks with 10 strikeouts over his last 11 appearances.

White, 29, will be seeking his first action with the Rangers this season. He has spent the year with the RedHawks, going 4-1 with 6 saves and a 3.54 ERA (21 ER/53.1 IP) in 50 relief appearances

White made his major league debut with the Rangers last season, going 2-0 with a 4.82 ERA (5 ER/9.1 IP) in 9 relief appearances.

Guardado was 3-3 with 4 saves and a 3.65 ERA (20 ER/49.1 IP) in 55 relief appearances for Texas this season. He currently ranks 3rd in the American League with 23 holds, and leads all major league pitchers with 21 holds beginning.

Originally drafted by Minnesota in 1990, Guardado spent 13 years in the Twins organization from 1991-2003.

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