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HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros, believing their season can still be saved, acquired pitcher Randy Wolf from San Diego on Tuesday in exchange for minor leaguer Chad Reineke.
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Wolf, an NL All-Star in 2003, is 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts for the Padres this season. The 31-year-old is in his 10th season and will play for his fourth team. He previously played for Philadelphia (1999-2006) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2007) before joining the Padres this season.
The left-handed Wolf will start for the Astros in Milwaukee on Sunday, general manager Ed Wade said.
Wolf, in Cincinnati where the Padres were playing the Reds, was caught off-guard by the trade.
"When it ultimately happens, you're shocked a little bit," Wolf said. "I didn't really think about it. I think any team would have been, in some way, a surprise."
The Astros entered Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh with a 46-53 record, 12 games behind Chicago in the NL Central. Wade said the move shows the team isn't ready to give up on this season.
"We still think the club we have is good enough to play better than it's played," Wade said. "We've got a million games left in our own division at this point in time. Our fate rests in our hands and I think it's important for us to do whatever we can, from the baseball ops side, to give our guys as much support as we possibly can."
The Astros' pitching staff came into Tuesday's game with a 4.50 ERA, fourth-worst in the NL. The ace of the rotation, Roy Oswalt, has a 7-8 record and is currently on the disabled list with a strained hip and another regular starter, Brandon Backe, is 6-10 with a 4.79 ERA.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers said the Astros were intent on acquiring Wolf.
"Houston was pretty aggressive, probably more aggressive than any other club," Towers said.
Wade told Wolf that he still thinks Houston can turn things around.
"He still believes in the Astros," Wolf said. "I think he still thinks there's a shot. With a little more than two months left in the season, there's an opportunity there he's trying to take advantage of. He's not giving up hope. I'm up for the challenge."
Wade was the Phillies' general manager from 1998-2005. He tried to sign Wolf for the Astros in December, but Wade said Wolf wanted to play closer to his home in California.
