Cubs acquire Kendall from the A’s

The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran catcher Jason Kendall on Monday in a trade with the Oakland Athletics for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins.

Kendall, a .298 hitter in 12 major league seasons with Pittsburgh and Oakland, was batting only .226 for the A’s this season with two homers and 22 runs batted in. He was a three-time All-Star with the Pirates and is known for his ability to get on base. He has more walks than strikeouts during his career.

“We certainly feel we’re going to be in it the rest of the way. His character and his leadership are terrific. We feel he’s still got a lot left in the tank,” Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry said.

The A’s said Kurt Suzuki would be their new starting catcher.

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The Milwaukee Brewers put pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained finger on his pitching hand.

Rookie Yovani Gallardo (1-1) is scheduled to take Sheets’ spot in the rotation.

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Manager Eric Wedge received a three-year contract extension through the 2010 season from the Cleveland Indians, an early reward for having his ballclub near the top in the American League Central.

Financial terms were not immediately available.

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Boston Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling threw 31 pitches in a two-inning simulated game and pronounced himself ready to take the next step in his rehabilitation from shoulder tendinitis. Schilling will make a minor-league start Saturday.... The Florida Marlins suspended left-hander Scott Olsen for two games without pay because of insubordination and conduct detrimental to the team.... Houston Astros reliever Chad Qualls lost his appeal of a three-game suspension for throwing a baseball into the stands and will sit out starting today.