Uehara headed to Texas (Tillman optioned)

The Orioles have reached agreement with the Rangers on a trade that would send reliever Koji Uehara to Texas for first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter, according to multiple sources. Uehara is 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 43 games, with only 25 hits allowed, eight walks and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. He hasn't allowed a run in 10 appearances this month covering 11 innings, with four hits, one walk and 15 strikeouts. Uehara is 12 appearances shy of having his $4 million vesting option activated for next season. Davis becomes the Orioles' top first base prospect and a potential replacement for Derrek Lee if the veteran is dealt. He's batting .368 with 14 doubles, 24 homers and 66 RBIs in 48 games at Triple-A Round Rock. He's a career .248 hitter with 42 homers and 124 RBIs in parts of four major league seasons. Hunter is 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in eight appearances with the Rangers, and 23-13 with a 4.36 ERA in 53 major league games, including 44 starts. The Orioles have a first baseman and starting pitcher, two areas that needed to be addressed. I'm still waiting for the club to make an official announcement, but it's coming. The Sun first tweeted the trade shortly after Game 1. Also, as expected, the Orioles optioned Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Zach Britton on the 25-man roster.