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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

MLB notes: Indians trade Justin Masterson to Cardinals

Justin Masterson, on the disabled list with right knee inflammation, hopes to pitch this weekend. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

Justin Masterson began the season as the Indians’ ace. He’ll end it with a different team in a different league.

Cleveland traded the disappointing Masterson on Wednesday to the St. Louis Cardinals, a deal that will allow the Indians to get something in return for the 29-year-old righty who was in his final year under contract.

“I was surprised,” Masterson said. “It’s bittersweet. I’m sad to leave the fellas and the fight we’re making here in Cleveland, but I’m excited to get to St. Louis and be a part of what they have going there.”

In exchange for Masterson, who was scheduled to come off the disabled list later this week, the Indians got outfielder James Ramsey. A first-round pick by the Cardinals (No. 23 overall) in 2012, Ramsey has spent this season at Double-A Springfield, where he batted .300 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs.

Masterson went 14-10 last season and then turned down an offer of a contract extension in spring training.

He is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts this season and has had a noticeable loss in velocity. In five starts before being placed on the DL with right knee inflammation, he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits in 18 innings.

Masterson expects to join the Cardinals in the next day or two and said he might start a game this weekend.

Chavez retires

Diamondbacks infielder Eric Chavez announced his retirement, ending his 17-year major league career at the age of 36.

Chavez, on the disabled list since June 9 because of a sprained left knee, spent 13 seasons with the Oakland Athletics, two with the New York Yankees and was in his second season with Arizona.

Clearing the bases

The Dodgers have completed their trade with the Cubs, sending minor league pitcher Jonathan Martinez to Chicago and optioning infielder Darwin Barney to Triple-A Albuquerque. … Chicago White Sox reliever Nate Jones underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and is expected to need 12 to 15 months to recover. … The Boston Red Sox have traded left-hander Felix Doubront to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named. … ESPN announcers Dan Shulman and John Kruk will call Sunday night’s Red Sox-Yankees game from atop Fenway Park’s Green Monster.