The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-hander Scott Schoeneweis from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash.
The move came two days after the Reds learned that left-handed reliever Kent Mercker will need reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. Mercker has a torn ligament and tendon in the elbow.
Schoeneweis is the seventh pitcher acquired in the last six weeks by the Reds, who have stayed in playoff contention partly by remaking their bullpen. A 5-0 loss in St. Louis on Tuesday night left Cincinnati in second place in the NL Central, 2 1/2 games behind the Cardinals.
The 32-year-old Schoeneweis went 2-2 with a 6.51 ERA in 55 games for the Blue Jays this season. He is 41-47 in his career with a 5.09 ERA in nine seasons with Toronto, the Angels and the White Sox.