Fassero Is Traded to St. Louis

In need of pitching help, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired left-handed reliever Jeff Fassero from the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers to be named and cash on Sunday.

The Cardinals lead the National League Central by three games over Houston.

Fassero, 39, is 5-6 with a 6.18 earned-run average in 51 innings.

On Saturday, the Cardinals put starter Matt Morris and left-hander reliever Mike Matthews on the disabled list. The Cardinals have already added right-hander Rick White and left-handed Nerio Rodriguez to their staff.

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Sammy Sosa, bothered by a sore neck, returned to Chicago and missed the Cubs’ series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Cubs said the injury was not believed to be serious.

The Cubs also activated right-handed reliever Juan Cruz and optioned right-hander Steve Smyth to triple-A Iowa. Cruz had been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 10 because of a right arm strain.

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The Toronto Blue Jays activated Carlos Delgado from the 15-day disabled list. The first baseman had been sidelined since Aug. 8 because of lower back tightness.

To make room for Delgado on the 25-man active roster, the Blue Jays put right-hander Luke Prokopec on the disabled list because of an elbow injury. Toronto also optioned outfielder Pedro Swann to triple-A Syracuse and recalled right-hander Brian Bowles.

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The Baltimore Orioles put outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his right wrist.... The Chicago White Sox put infielder Tony Graffanino on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured right knee.