NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville Sounds outfielder Cole Gillespie was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon by the Milwaukee Brewers, who acquired Major League infielder Felipe Lopez.Minor league pitcher Roque Mercedes was also sent to the Diamondbacks by the Brewers in the deal.
In 75 games for the Sounds this season, Gillespie batted .242 (57-for-236) with seven home runs and 27 RBIs.
Lopez is expected to join the Brewers tomorrow in Pittsburgh, at which time a corresponding roster move will be announced to create a spot for him.
No move has been announced to fill Gillespie's spot on the Sounds' roster. Gillespie is expected to report to Triple-A Reno in the Arizona farm system.
"Felipe is an accomplished veteran player who gives us versatility at three infield positions," said Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. "He has been a very productive player at the top of the order with respect to both batting average and on-base percentage."
Lopez, 29, entered today's game batting .305 with 6 HR, 25 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 84 games with Arizona this season. He has made 79 starts (78g at 2B, 1g at DH). He entered the day ranked second in the National League with a .372 on-base percentage from the top spot in the batting order.
Lopez owns a career batting average of .266 with 77 HR, 359 RBI and 115 stolen bases in 957 games during nine Major League seasons with Toronto (2001-02), Cincinnati (2003-06), Washington (2006-08), St. Louis (2008) and Arizona (2009). His best season came during an All-Star campaign in 2005 when he batted .291 with 23 HR, 85 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 148 games with the Reds. He earned the Silver Slugger Award that season as the best offensive shortstop in the National League.
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