Cardinals add pitcher Jake Westbrook in three-team trade

National League Central-leading St. Louis was the prime player in a three-team deal Saturday, getting pitcher Jake Westbrook from Cleveland and sending outfielder Ryan Ludwick to NL West-leading San Diego ahead of the 1 p.m. PDT nonwaiver trading deadline.

“I’m excited to go to a club that’s contending for a playoff spot and pitch in some meaningful ballgames,” Westbrook said. “That’s why you play the game, to get a chance to play in the playoffs, and I look forward to doing that.”

General Manager Chris Antonetti said the Indians sent cash to St. Louis and San Diego, adding that Westbrook agreed to “adjust” a $2-million trade bonus to ensure that the deal went through. The 32-year-old right-hander is 6-7 with a 4.65 earned-run average in 21 starts this year.

Ludwick, who is batting .281 with 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in, has better offensive numbers than any of San Diego’s current outfielders. He is expected to report Sunday.

St. Louis also acquired minor league left-hander Nick Greenwood from San Diego. The Indians got double-A pitcher Corey Kluber from San Diego.

Yankees add Berkman, Wood

The New York Yankees sent reliever Mark Melancon and minor league infielder Jimmy Paredes to Houston for five-time All-Star first baseman Lance Berkman. Houston will pay $4 million as part of the deal.

Berkman was the Yankees’ designated hitter in Saturday night’s game against Tampa Bay, batting second and going 0 for 4.

The Yankees also acquired pitcher Kerry Wood from Cleveland, giving themselves another setup option alongside Joba Chamberlain for closer Mariano Rivera.

The Yankees sent Cleveland a player to be named or $500,000, and the Indians gave New York $2,172,131. New York will pay $1.5 million of the $3,672,131 remaining on Wood’s $10.5 million salary this year. His contract includes an $11 million team option for 2011.

Braves get Ankiel, Farnsworth

Atlanta acquired outfielder Rick Ankiel, reliever Kyle Farnsworth and cash from Kansas City for reliever Jesse Chavez, outfielder Gregor Blanco and minor league pitcher Tim Collins.

Ankiel has been limited to 27 games this year in large part because of a right quad strain he suffered in early May. Farnsworth, 34, has been solid out of the Royals’ bullpen this season, with a 2.42 ERA over 44 2/3 innings in 37 appearances.

Etc.

Kansas City extended Manager Ned Yost’s contract through the 2012 season. Yost replaced Trey Hillman earlier in the year. … Atlanta second baseman Martin Prado has a broken right pinkie and could be out for a week. … Seattle optioned first baseman Justin Smoak to triple-A Tacoma and put outfielder Milton Bradley (knee tendinitis) on the 15-day disabled list.