Rival watch: Cardinals acquire relief pitcher John Axford from Milwaukee

Published Aug. 30, 2013 11:59 a.m. ET

foxsports

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed reliever John Axford from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later.
The 30-year-old Axford is expected to join the Cardinals on Friday night when they begin a seven-game road trip in Pittsburgh.
St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak calls Axford "a reliever that offers experience as both a setup man and closer. He's also a pitcher who brings familiarity with the NL Central, pennant-race baseball and the postseason."

Axford is 6-7 this season with a 4.45 ERA and 19 saves in 62 games. He led the NL with 46 saves in 2011 while helping the Brewers to the NL Central title.