Cards deal Gyorko to LA for Cingrani, prospect

ST. LOUIS -- In their only move at Wednesday’s Trade Deadline, the Cardinals sent veteran slugger Jedd Gyorko as well as 2019-20 international cap space and cash considerations to the Dodgers in exchange for left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani -- who is not expected to pitch this season after undergoing left shoulder surgery in June -- and Minor League pitcher Jeffry Abreu.

Gyorko, 30, has been on the 60-day injured list and limited to 38 games this season due to multiple injuries. He hasn’t played since June 7, missing time with a lower back strain, left calf strain and right wrist surgery that he had while recovering from the calf strain.

The thought process behind the move was to find a place for Gyorko instead of releasing him when he returned from rehab, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. In the final year of the extension he signed with the Padres in 2015, Gyorko’s role on the team had slimmed with the emergence of Yairo Munoz and Tommy Edman as utility infielders this season.

Gyorko was set to go on a rehab assignment on Tuesday before the Cardinals pushed him back without much explanation, he said, even though he was ready to play.

“Rather than think about it as a pure release, we decided to see if anyone had interest," Mozeliak said. “The Dodgers did, then we put in some cap space to get a young prospect. That was what we were able to do.”

Gyorko is hitting .196/.274/.304 this season and has struggled to duplicate the production from his 2016-17 seasons, when he hit a combined 50 home runs.

Cingrani opened the season on the injured list and had labrum surgery on his shoulder in June. He will not pitch for the Cardinals this season as he continues his rehab in Arizona, and the 30-year-old is a free agent after this season. The Dodgers needed to avoid luxury-tax issues, so they moved Cingrani in the deal.

Abreu, 19, went 2-0 with a 4.66 ERA in six games (two starts) for the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers. The native of the Dominican Republic was in his second season with the organization and was a combined 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA.

Mejia activated, Ponce de Leon optioned

Left-handed reliever Adalberto Mejía, claimed off waivers on Tuesday, made it to St. Louis from the Dominican Republic in time for Wednesday’s game against the Cubs and was activated. The Cardinals optioned right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon to Triple-A Memphis is a corresponding move. Michael Wacha will replace Ponce de Leon in the rotation Monday against the Dodgers.

Mejia will wear No. 68. It’s not yet known what Mejia’s role will be out of the bullpen. He joins Andrew Miller and Tyler Webb as the Cardinals' left-handed options.