San Diego began the anticipated sell-off of veterans by sending outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. to Toronto for a minor league prospect. With the Padres in Toronto, Upton simply changed dugouts.

The next step for the Padres is to deal right-hander Andrew Cashner. He is scheduled to start Tuesday night at Toronto. What happens will be significant to the Texas Rangers.

If Cashner makes the start, it says the Padres are hoping they can increase his market value by waiting. If Cashner is scratched, as Upton was on Monday night, it says a deal is imminent.

The Rangers are interested in Cashner along with Miami and Houston. He has been on the disabled list twice this season because of hamstring and neck ailments but has shown well in his last two starts. In those games, Cashner allowed two runs with seven hits, 17 strikeouts and no walks in 11 2/3 innings for those games.

"It's been talked about for over a week now, that something's imminent, but obviously the days keep passing by and nothing's happened," San Diego manager Andy Green told reporters in Toronto. "I've told [Cashner] to expect to pitch here. If something changes, it'll change quickly."

Cashner, 29, can become a free agent after the season. As an amateur, he pitched at Angelina College and TCU. Cashner is 4-7 with a 4.79 ERA for 15 starts this season.

Twitter: @gfraley