Cubs get help from Pirates

The Chicago Cubs landed a new left-hander for their bullpen, acquiring John Grabow from the busy Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade Thursday.

The Cubs sent right-handers Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio and minor league infielder Josh Harrison to Pittsburgh for Grabow and lefty Tom Gorzelanny.

Grabow is 3-0 with a 3.42 ERA in 45 appearances. He can become a free agent after the season and probably wouldn’t have re-signed with the Pirates.

Gorzelanny, who was 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2007, has spent most of this year at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Hart, 26, was traded minutes after pitching Chicago to a 12-3 victory over Houston. He is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in eight games.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hart has made four starts this season while splitting time between Triple-A and the majors.

The trade was the third major deal for the Pirates in two days, following those that sent second baseman Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco and shortstop Jack Wilson to Seattle on Wednesday.

Dodgers get Sherrill

The N.L. West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers acquired former All-Star closer George Sherrill from Baltimore for two minor leaguers.

The rebuilding Orioles receive third baseman Josh Bell and right-hander Steve Johnson, both of whom were at Double-A Chattanooga.

Sherrill, who pitched with Seattle from 2004-07, has 20 saves for Baltimore and gives the Dodgers a left-handed complement to All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton.

Lee starts tonight

Reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee will make his National League debut tonight for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The N.L. East-leading Phillies gave Cleveland four minor league prospects for Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco.