Nationals trade Jon Lester to Cardinals; pick up outfielder Lane Thomas
WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals busy trade-deadline day included dealing left-handed pitcher Jon Lester to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Lane Thomas.
READ MORE: Washington Nationals trade Max Scherzer, Trea Turner to Los Angeles Dodgers
The trade capped off a flurry of activity that included sending ace Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner to Los Angeles; and catcher Yan Gomes and infielder Josh Harrison to the A’s.
READ MORE: Washington Nationals trade Max Scherzer, Trea Turner to Los Angeles Dodgers
The 37-year-old Lester was 3-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 16 starts during his first season with Washington. He has won three World Series titles in his 16-year career: two with Boston and one with the Chicago Cubs.
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The Cardinals entered Friday at .500 and trailing first-place Milwaukee by 9 1/2 games in the NL Central. St. Louis was 7 1/2 games behind in the NL wild-card race.
Washington acquired speedy 25-year-old outfielder Lane Thomas from St. Louis. Thomas hit .104 in 32 games for the Cardinals this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report