The A's and Cardinals completed a trade on Saturday that will send right-handed reliever Josh Lucas to Oakland in exchange for Minor League right-hander Casey Meisner, both clubs announced.
Lucas, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville after the trade, was designated for assignment on Wednesday as part of the Cardinals clearing 40-man roster spots ahead of Opening Day. He was vying for a late-inning role in a St. Louis bullpen competition that was largely wide open for most of Spring Training. Lucas didn't allow a run in 11 1/3 innings over nine games this spring before he was optioned on March 23 to Triple-A Memphis, where he spent most of last season.