ORIOLES ACQUIRE RHP NORRIS

Baltimore-Houston trade: The Orioles acquired RHP Bud Norris from the Astros to help bolster a rotation that will be without injured Jason Hammel for what could be an extended period. The Orioles are sending outfielder L.J. Hoes and LHP prospect Josh Hader to the Astros in a deal agreed to moments before Wednesday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Hammel is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor mass strain in his right forearm. He is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 starts this season.

The 28-year-old Norris was 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA for the Astros. He was making a club-high $3 million this year. In his fifth big-league season, Norris is under team control through 2015. He is 34-46 with a 4.33 ERA.

» The Astros also traded OF Justin Maxwell to the Kansas City Royals for minor-league pitcher Kyle Smith.

The speedy Maxwell was expected to join the Royals in time for the series finale today in Minnesota. Kansas City will have to make a corresponding roster move. St. Louis: The Cardinals placed C Yadier Molina on the 15day disabled list.

Molina has been dealing with a right knee sprain for more than a month. Detroit: All-Star SS Jhonny Peralta said he shouldn’t be on the list of players linked to the Biogenesis case.

“It’s wrong,” Peralta said Wednesday after hitting a double in Detroit’s 11-1 win over the Washington Nationals. “But whatever happens, I need to fight and try to move on.” LA Angels: Reliever Sean Burnett won’t pitch again this season because of a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow. Burnett said he was still deciding on having surgery.