Chicago ? The Chicago Cubs traded right-hander Alan Benes to the Texas Rangers Friday for a player to be named.

Benes, 31, was 0-0 with a save and a 2.16 ERA in three games for the Cubs this season. He is expected to start for the Rangers at home Saturday night against Cleveland.

“We think this guy’s a good option for us,” Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. “I love his makeup and his presence and what he brings to our club. We understand some of the risks we’re taking, too, but we think we have a chance to get a guy that can help us.”

Ismael Valdes and Chan Ho Park, the Nos. 1 and 2 starters for the Rangers, both are on the disabled list. Valdes is eligible to come off the DL and had been scheduled to start for Texas this weekend, but will make a rehab start instead.

Right-hander Ryan Drese (2-2, 7.65 ERA) was sent by Texas to Triple-A Oklahoma. Drese, 27, gave up five runs on five hits over 42¼3 innings in a loss to Toronto Thursday.

The Cubs had to clear a roster spot when Antonio Alfonseca came off the disabled list Monday, so Benes was designated for assignment.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said he and Rangers GM John Hart haven’t set any kind of timeline for when the second half of the trade will be completed.