Phillies acquire backup infielder Edmundo Sosa from the Cardinals for lefty reliever JoJo Romero

The Phillies’ first move ahead of the trade deadline came early Saturday afternoon when they acquired shortstop Edmundo Sosa from the Cardinals in exchange for left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, who had most recently been pitching for triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Sosa is a glove-first shortstop, who also can fill in at second base and third base. With Jean Segura able to be activated off of the 60-day injured list as early as Sunday, Sosa provides some flexibility as Segura eases back into an everyday role.

Sosa is now the Phillies’ best infield defender. Over 219⅔ innings at shortstop this season, he has five defensive runs saved and 13 defensive runs saved over his last two seasons. He is plus-7 in outs above average at shortstop over his past two seasons. The 26-year-old righty has hit .189/.244/.270 over 131 plate appearances this season and slashed .271/.346/.389 over 326 plate appearances last season.

“He’s really a good defender,” interim manager Rob Thomson said of his newest player. “He plays second, short, third. He’s a plus plus defender anywhere he plays, and he can run. Can play a little bit against left-handed pitching. We’ll use him.”