For Cardinals, it's Sosa

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves dealt Jorge Sosa to the St. Louis Cardinals for a minor leaguer at the trade deadline Monday, one day after the disappointing pitcher was designated for assignment.

Sosa was a huge surprise in 2005, going 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA after being acquired from Tampa Bay for a backup infielder during spring training.

But the 28-year-old right-hander was horrible this season, going 3-10 with a 5.46 ERA in 26 games.

He lost his spot in the rotation after 13 starts, and a brief attempt to turn him into a closer failed miserably. He spent his final weeks with the Braves in a mop-up role.

"He obviously hasn't done for us what he did last year," Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz said Sunday after Sosa was removed from the roster. "He did a great job for us last year and it hasn't worked as well this year."

The Braves acquired right-handed reliever Rich Scalamandre from the Cardinals. He was 7-0 with two saves and a 4.44 ERA while splitting time between Class AA Springfield and Class AAA Memphis this season.

The 25-year-old pitcher was assigned to Atlanta's Class AAA team at Richmond.

The Braves, struggling to make it back to the playoffs after winning 14 straight division titles, got in three deals leading up to Monday's nonwaiver deadline. They acquired closer Bob Wickman from Cleveland for a low-level minor leaguer and sent Wilson Betemit, their top player off the bench, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for reliever Danys Baez and infielder Willy Aybar.

Atlanta did nothing to address its shaky rotation, which must improve dramatically if the team is going to make a run at the wild card. The Braves took a huge hit last weekend when they were swept by the first-place New York Mets and dropped 15 games back in the National League East.

The Cardinals, who on Sunday acquired second baseman Ronnie Belliard for infielder Hector Luna, plan to use Sosa in the bullpen.

"We didn't think he would be available," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty told mlb.com. "But when he was designated, we were interested."

The Cardinals, who lead the NL Central and are seeking their third straight division title, were rumored to be seeking a starting pitcher or an outfielder.

"We didn't want to tear apart our entire farm system," Jocketty told mlb.com. "We have a good team now."