Major League Baseball

Cardinals deal Lugo to O's; Red Sox still paying his salary

Published Apr. 1, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Infielder Julio Lugo was traded Thursday from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named or cash.

The 34-year-old became expendable after the Cardinals signed Felipe Lopez in late February. Lugo was acquired from Boston last July 22 in the controversial trade that sent Chris Duncan -- son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan -- to the Red Sox.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Lugo wouldn't have been happy as a part-time player.

"He acknowledged that he wanted to play a prominent role," La Russa said. "You try to avoid putting guys in a position that you don't think they'd do well in."

Baltimore will pay just the $400,000 minimum. At the time of last summer's trade, Boston agreed to pay $8.6 million of Lugo's $9 million salary this year.

"It sounds like it's going to be a good opportunity for him," St. Louis shortstop Brendan Ryan said. "I don't know how much playing time there was going to be available. Hopefully, it's a plus for him. Maybe he will get a chance to play where he goes. We're going to miss him. I think we all liked him and I wish him the best."

Lugo hit .277 with two homers and 13 RBIs for the Cardinals last season and had a .286 average with one homer and three RBIs in 33 spring training at-bats. He was the starting shortstop on Boston's 2007 World Series championship team.

The Orioles' infield seems set with Brian Roberts at second, Cesar Izturis at shortstop and Miguel Tejada at third, but Roberts has been dealing with a back problem and Lugo could find semi-regular playing time as the primary backup for all three.

Joe Mather, Allen Craig and Nick Stavinoha, who had been competing for two Cardinals roster spots, all made the opening-day roster. All three can play the outfield, and Craig and Mather can also play at least one corner infield spot.

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