Pittsburgh Pirates

to their farm system in a pair of trades last week, acquiring outfielder from the Boston Red Sox for $1.5 million in international amateur signing bonus pool allocation and receiving right-handers

and from the Los Angeles Dodgers for relievers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal and international signing bonus space.

Cedrola and Zabala joined low Class A Dayton (Ohio). Marinan was assigned to the Reds’ Arizona Rookie League team.

Lorenzo James Marinan Zabala Cedrola Aneurys

as a reserve on the NL All-Star team.

Meanwhile, left fielder

went on the DL because of strained back. He was sidelined by the same injury for 10 days in May.

“Hopefully two weeks kind of resets him,” manager

said.

Braun, a six-time All-Star, is batting just .235 with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases in 71 games this season.

Cain has been outstanding in his first season with the Brewers, hitting .290 with eight homers and 16 steals through 73 games.

❚ Catcher (left biceps) also was placed on the DL on July 8. He was injured two days earlier while taking a swing and is expected to return on July 20, the day after the AllStar break.

Catcher

Braun Counsell Ryan Craig Manny Pina Jacob Nottingham

was recalled from Class AAA Colorado Springs (Colo.). However, veteran figures to get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate while Pina is sidelined.

Erik Kratz Trevor Williams

Right-hander

appeared to be on his way to a breakout season when he went 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA through six starts in April.

But Williams is 2-6 with a 5.98 ERA in his last 12 starts, dropping his record to 6-7 and raising his ERA to 4.60.

Williams lasted just 21⁄3 innings and was tagged for five runs July 6 in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He has given up 12 runs in 13 innings while losing his last three outings.

“I’m tired of getting my (behind) kicked,” Williams said.

Williams’ downturn mirrored

Contributing: Wire reports