MILWAUKEE -- Left-handed hitter Gerardo Parra is bringing a little balance to a Milwaukee Brewers lineup stacked with right-handed bats.
The two-time Gold Glove winning outfielder was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a pair of minor leaguers Thursday ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline. The NL Central-leading Brewers sent outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-hander Anthony Banda to Arizona.
Parra was hitting .259, about 25 points lower than his career average, with six homers and 30 RBIs. The Brewers could use him in a platoon with righty bat Khris Davis, who is hitting just .232 against right-handers.
Parra is hitting .271 against righties, and .429 overall since July 23.
The Brewers were off Thursday, spending much of the day in St. Petersburg, Florida, after losing two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays. Milwaukee begins a three-game series Friday against division rival St. Louis, which added right-handed starters Justin Masterson and John Lackey at the trade deadline.
Parra was expected to join the team Friday in St. Louis. Gomez, Jonathan Lucroy, Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez - all right-handed hitters - lead the Brewers' lineup.
"Welcome to the family to the Brewers," Gomez said Thursday afternoon on Twitter.
Scooter Gennett is hitting .302 with eight homers as the left-handed half of a platoon at second base with Rickie Weeks. Lyle Overbay, who is hitting .232 with four homers, is the only other left-handed hitter who plays with any regularity.
The addition of Parra gives Milwaukee another top glove in the outfield to join center fielder Carlos Gomez. Outfielder Logan Schafer will be optioned to Triple-A Nashville to make room for Parra, the team said.
The 23-year-old Haniger was playing for Double-A Huntsville. He was Milwaukee's No. 3 prospect, according to Baseball America. He was hitting .255 with 10 homers and 34 RBIs.
Banda, 20, was 6-6 with a 3.66 ERA for Class A Wisconsin.
