Cardinals Acquire Wright

Jamey Wright wasn’t sure about his immediate plans, but he did know his future looked a whole lot brighter.

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired the right-hander and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday for minor league outfielder Chris Morris and a player to be named.

Wright was penciled in to start against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field today pending resolution of the labor dispute.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, I guess I’ll drive down there tonight,” Wright said.

He goes from a team that is trying to avoid its first 100-loss season to a pennant contender.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals have been busy making trades since the All-Star break, getting star third baseman Scott Rolen and pitchers Chuck Finley and Jeff Fassero.

Wright was 5-13 with a 5.35 earned-run average in 19 starts for the Brewers. He was 3-3 with a 2.90 ERA in his last six starts.

“All I care about doing is the same job I’ve been doing the last month for the Brewers,” Wright said. “It’ll definitely be a more intense atmosphere, one that I never got to experience before. I’ll be a wild ride for me.”

Wright, 27, had been scheduled to start tonight at Cincinnati.

The Brewers replaced him in the rotation with Nelson Figueroa, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Indianapolis.

Morris, 23, who led all minor leagues with 111 stolen bases for Class-A Peoria in the Midwest League last year, hit .249 with 38 runs batted in and 55 stolen bases for Class-A Potomac in the Carolina League this summer.

*

Toronto Blue Jay left-hander Felix Heredia was charged with assaulting a woman with a weapon.

Toronto Det. Peter Harmsen said Heredia assaulted the mother of one of his children at about 5 a.m. Thursday. Harmsen said alcohol was involved.

The 22-year-old woman was treated at the hospital and released. Harmsen said the injuries were minor.

Heredia, who turned himself in, was in custody and awaiting a bail hearing.

*

Houston Astro pitcher Roy Oswalt dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension for throwing a pitch at Chicago’s Alex Gonzalez.

Oswalt, who got his 17th victory Wednesday night, started serving his suspension Thursday.

During the game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 12, Oswalt hit Fred McGriff with a pitch in the second inning, then hit Gonzalez in the back with a pitch in the seventh inning.