ST. LOUIS _ The Cubs added versatility to their roster before Wednesday's trade deadline by acquiring outfielder-second baseman Tony Kemp from the Astros for backup catcher Martin Maldonado.
This marks the second trade in 16 days for Maldonado, who was acquired from the Royals for pitcher Mike Montgomery as insurance while Willson Contreras was on the injured list with a foot bruise.
Kemp, 27, was designated for assignment after batting .227 with a .308 on-base percentage in 163 at-bats this season. A fifth-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2013, Kemp is a lifetime .240 hitter over parts of four seasons.
Kemp, a left-handed hitter, batted .263 with 15 doubles, six home runs, a .351 on-base percentage and .743 OPS in 97 games with the Astros last season.
The Cubs could look to add another catcher with major league experience and place him at the Triple-A level. Triple-A Iowa catcher Taylor Davis has played parts of three seasons with the Cubs.
The acquisition of Kemp adds to the deep pool of Cubs second basemen. Robel Garcia and David Bote are currently on the roster with Daniel Descalso on the injured list. Ben Zobrist is expected to return in late August after a minor league assignment after being on the restricted list since May 8.
Kemp has played 29 games at second base, 14 games in left field and 11 in center field this season.
Kemp batted .286 with a .474 on-base percentage in six playoff games in 2018. He will be arbitration eligible after the 2020 season.
Maldonado, known as a defensive specialist, was hitless in 11 at-bats with the Cubs. He will be reunited with several Astros pitchers he caught last season.
