The Padres, continuing to solidify their roster in anticipation of a playoff push, have acquired White Sox outfielder Rob Mackowiak, Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg and reliever Wilfredo Ledezma from Atlanta. Earlier this week, the Padres added outfielder Scott Hairston from the Diamondbacks and released infielder Russell Branyan. They also signed infielder Shea Hillenbrand to a minor-league contract.
The Astros sent Ensberg and cash considerations to the Padres for a player to be named or cash. The White Sox traded Mackowiak to San Diego for pitcher Jon Link. The Braves traded Ledezma and minor league pitcher Will Startup for reliever Royce Ring.
The 31-year-old Ensberg was hitting .232 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in 85 games. Houston is responsible for the remainder of Ensberg’s $4.35 million salary this season. Ensberg hit a career-low .235 with 58 RBIs last year. In 2005, he batted .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBIs. His 105 career home runs rank second all-time among Astros third basemen.
Link was 2-1 with 13 saves and a 3.07 ERA in 41 relief appearances for Class A Lake Elsinore. The 23-year-old righty is in his third minor league season.
Ledezma started the season with Detroit, then was traded to Atlanta. He was ineffective with the Braves and recently designated for assignment. Ring, who split this year in the majors and minors, was assigned by the Braves to Triple-A Richmond.
Ring was 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 15 games for San Diego and 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA for Triple-A Portland this year. The Braves assigned the lefty to Triple-A Richmond.