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Report: Rays asked Rangers about Pence's availability

Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Hunter Pence's resurgence means he could be sent to a contender at the July 31 trade deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays inquired with the Texas Rangers about the veteran's availability, a source told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Pence inked a minor-league deal with the Rangers in February and has played well, hitting .290/.349/.581 with 48 RBIs in 60 games. His 15 home runs would be tied for second on Tampa with Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows.

Pence's turnaround campaign earned him a starting nod for the American League at the All-Star Game earlier in July. The 36-year-old didn't play, however, because he was recovering from a groin injury.

The Rays could use a boost from the right side of the plate. Tampa's right-handed hitters own a .732 OPS, good for 20th in MLB, while their lefties are producing at a much higher .778 clip.

Pence also comes with playoff experience, having won two World Series with the San Francisco Giants in 2012 and 2014.

Tampa trails the New York Yankees by nine games in the AL East and sits one game back of the Oakland Athletics for the second wild card.

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