Major League Baseball

Report: Rangers near deal with defector

Published May. 3, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Two people familiar with the situation say the Texas Rangers are close to announcing a deal with Cuban defector Leonys Martin.

The 23-year-old outfielder is already working out in Surprise, Ariz., where the Rangers' spring training complex is located, one of the people said. The other person says Martin's signing could be made official as soon as Wednesday.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no announcement has been made by the Rangers.

Martin took a physical for the Rangers several weeks ago, but the deal has been held up while the team waited for proper approval from the U.S. Department of State since he defected from Cuba.

Martin played for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

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