Red Sox trade for a knuckleballer

BOSTON (AP) - The Red Sox acquired right-handed knuckleballer Steven Wright from the Cleveland Indians for first baseman Lars Anderson on Tuesday.

Wright was 9-6 with a 2.49 ERA at Double-A Akron. Boston, which had knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in its rotation for many years, assigned Wright to Double-A Portland.

The 27-year-old Wright has never pitched in the majors. In six minor league seasons, he is 38-33 with a 3.95 ERA. He is holding opponents to a .207 batting average this year, best in the Eastern League.

The 24-year-old Anderson hit .259 with nine homers and 52 RBIs at Triple-A Pawtucket. He also played left field.

Anderson has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Red Sox, batting .167 in 30 games. He was 1 for 8 in six games this season.