Astros trade pitcher Lucas Harrell to Diamondbacks

The Houston Astros traded right-hander Lucas Harrell to the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash or a player to be named.

Harrell was designated for assignment on April 16 after opening the season 0-3 with a 9.49 earned-run average. The terrible start to the season stretched his losing streak to eight straight decisions and he has not won a start since June 15. He led the American League last season with 17 losses.

He cleared waivers on April 22 and was sent to triple-A Oklahoma City. The 28-year-old Harrell, who has been a starter and a reliever, is 18-33 with a 4.84 ERA in 88 career games with 62 starts.

Cardinals demote two players

The St. Louis Cardinals demoted struggling rookie Kolten Wong to the minors.

Wong, the starting second baseman to open the season, and reserve outfielder Shane Robinson were optioned to triple-A Memphis on Monday. Rookies Greg Garcia and Randal Grichuk, both off to strong starts, were recalled from Memphis and are in the majors for the first time.

The 23-year-old Wong was batting .225 with five runs batted in in 71 at-bats and didn’t play the last two games of a weekend series against Pittsburgh. Robinson was batting .100 with no RBIs in 20 at-bats.