Mariners acquire Mike Leake from Cardinals

— -- The Seattle Mariners, who are among the contenders for an American League wild-card berth, acquired right-handed pitcher Mike Leake from the St. Louis Cardinals, the teams announced Wednesday.

In exchange, the Cardinals received minor league shortstop Rayder Ascanio, international cap space totaling $750,000 and cash considerations.

Leake will join a Seattle rotation that has struggled to produce quality outings over the past month while dealing with injuries to James Paxton and Felix Hernandez. Leake is 7-12 with a 4.21 ERA and is a proven veteran to add to Seattle's rotation. But he has struggled since the All-Star break, going 1-5 with a 6.90 ERA in nine starts since July 14.

"Mike gives us an experienced starter that will help us as we navigate our way towards a playoff spot this season," Mariners president and general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "As one of the most durable starters over most of the last decade, he'll be a valuable addition for not just the near future, but for seasons to come."

Dipoto said the plan is for Leake to make his first start for Seattle sometime this weekend when the club returns home to play Oakland.

Leake is under contract through the 2020 season with an option for 2021. He signed an $80 million, five-year deal before the 2016 season.

The Cardinals are kicking in about $17 million in the trade, to help offset the salary owned to Leake over the next three years, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney.

The trade comes before Thursday's deadline for major league teams to acquire a player and have him be eligible for the postseason.

The Mariners (66-67) are three games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League. The Cardinals (66-65) are 5? games out in the NL wild-card race.

In eight seasons, Leake has a career mark of 80-76 with a 4.02 ERA. He also has pitched for the Reds and Giants.

Ascanio, 21, was hitting a combined .217 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs between stops at Class A Modesto, Double-A Clinton and Triple-A Tacoma.

It is the second trade involving the Mariners and Cardinals this summer. Seattle previously traded for Marco Gonzales.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.