Westbrook pleased to join playoff hunt

August 2, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS

Jake Westbrook is hoping for another postseason appearance, this time with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Westbrook, acquired from Cleveland in a three-team deal on Saturday, was added to St. Louis’ roster on Sunday and will start tonight against Houston. Infielder Tyler Greene was placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room on the roster.

The rebuilding Indians have struggled all season, while the Cardinals began the day on top of the NL Central.

“This is pretty exciting,” said Westbrook, who will wear No. 35 with St. Louis. “I want to get comfortable as soon as I can. The reason why you play this game is to compete for the playoffs. I’m looking forward to that.”

A 2004 All-Star, the 32-year-old Westbrook is 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts this year. He made three postseason starts with the Indians in 2007, going 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA.

St. Louis traded outfielder Ryan Ludwick to NL West-leading San Diego as part of the deal to get Westbrook, who is eligible for free agency following the season.

“My preference would be to keep players that we have control over and not do something that could be viewed as a rental,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said, referring to Ludwick being one year away from free agency.

“But the fact is, if we didn’t change the current dynamics of this club right now, I couldn’t envision us winning,” Mozeliak added. “So one of the things [manager] Tony [La Russa] and his staff discussed — and myself and the staff upstairs — was how could we do that. One of the things we all agreed on was we had to get somebody to give us some quality innings, and we needed that sooner than later.”

The Cardinals had expressed interest in Westbrook for a while, but the pitcher said he didn’t know if anything would happen.

“I didn’t know what to expect but I’m excited to be here,” Westbrook said. “Pitching in front of these fans and getting to the playoffs will be fun.”