Cardinals deal Lucas to Athletics for pitching prospect Casey Meisner

ST. LOUIS -- After designating him for assignment on Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals found a new home for right-handed reliever Josh Lucas on Saturday and received a prospect in return.

The Cardinals dealt Lucas to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday morning in exchange for right-handed pitcher Casey Meisner, who will be assigned to Double-A Springfield.

The 22-year-old Meisner was originally a third-round draft pick by the New York Mets out of Cypress Woods (Texas) High School in 2013. Meisner was traded to the Athletics for RHP Tyler Clippard and cash considerations in July 2015.

The 6-foot-7 hurler is a two-time minor league All-Star, once in the South Atlantic League in 2015 and again in the hitter-friendly California League in 2017. After beginning 2017 in High-A, he finished the season in Double-A.

Over a five-year minor league career, Meisner has compiled a 30-34 record with 3.66 ERA over 85 career starts (104 appearances) covering 491.2 innings pitched with 425 strikeouts and 174 walks. Last season, Meisner was 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA over 24 starts (28 appearances) between High-A Stockton and Double-A Midland.

The 27-year-old Lucas made his major league debut last August and appeared in five MLB games, posting a 3.68 ERA, and he also led the Cardinals farm system with 17 saves at Triple-A Memphis in 2017. Lucas did not allow a run over 11 1/3 innings of Grapefruit League action this spring, allowing just four hits and two walks over that span.