Cardinals acquire reliever John Axford from Brewers

Reliever John Axford was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the St. Louis Cardinals. (Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images) The St. Louis Cardinals acquired

Reliever John Axford was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the St. Louis Cardinals. (Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired right-handed reliever John Axford from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later, the Cardinals announced Friday.

Axford, 30, is 6-7 with a 4.45 ERA and 19 saves in 62 games this season. He led the National League with 46 saves in 2011.

Axford is expected to join the team on Friday night when they start a seven-game trip in Pittsburgh.

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(Axford is) "a reliever that offers experience as both a setup man and closer. He's also a pitcher who brings familiarity with the NL Central, pennant-race baseball and the postseason," Cardinals general manager John Mozelia said about Axford.

Axford is making $5 million this season and will be eligible for arbitration in 2014.