Indians trade right-hander Justin Masterson to Cardinals

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The St. Louis Cardinals added depth to their rotation Wednesday by acquiring right-hander Justin Masterson from the Cleveland Indians, the team announced. MLB insider Peter Gammons first reported the deal.

In exchange for Masterson, the Cardinals are sending back Double-A outfield prospect James Ramsey. The Cardinals' first-round pick in the 2012 draft was the club's only representative at this month's Futures Game.

Masterson, currently on the disabled list with a sore right knee, is a free agent at the end of the season. The right-hander posted a 5.51 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 19 starts for the Indians and is scheduled to start Saturday at Busch Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers.

An All-Star last season, Masterson struck out 195 batters in 193 innings, while sporting a 3.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. 

Injuries to Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia have decimated the Cardinals pitching staff as the club jockeys for position in a tight National League Central. The Cardinals entered play Wednesday 1 1/2 games back of the division lead and a half game back of the second Wild Card spot.

While Masterson offers the Cardinals depth in the middle-to-back of their rotation, the 29-year-old has seen his stock fall with each passing month.

Masterson failed to pitch beyond the fourth inning in four of his last five starts prior to hitting the DL, and has experienced a sharp drop in velocity since the beginning of 2013. His average fastball was a tick over 94 miles per hour to start last season but has since dropped to 91, according to Brooks Baseball.

In Ramsey the Indians get a 24-year-old left-handed hitter described by ESPN's Keith Law as a player with the potential to be a "quality platoon outfielder."

Law listed the 6-foot, 190-pound Ramsey as the Cardinals' ninth-ranked prospect entering the season.

Ramsey hit .300/.389/.527 with 13 homers and 14 doubles over 281 plate appearances at Double-A Springfield.