Broxton looking to fit in with contending Cards

ST. LOUIS -- Jonathan Broxton made his Major League debut against the Cardinals on July 29, 2005. Now, a little more than 10 years later, the two-time All-Star reliever is getting a chance to pitch for them.

St. Louis acquired the 31-year-old right-hander from Milwaukee on Friday, hours before the non-waiver Trade Deadline and he made his first appearance in the clubhouse before Saturday's game against the Rockies at Busch Stadium.

Broxton has 118 career saves, but he won't be stepping into a defined role with a club that is seeking to lighten the workload of its late-inning relievers.

Video: Cardinals acquire Broxton from Brewers

On Saturday, he was given the eighth inning with the Cardinals trailing by four runs in a 6-2 loss to the Rockies. Broxton made quick work of the bottom of Colorado's order, striking out Drew Stubbs, getting a groundout from Daniel Descalso and a fly-out from pinch-hitter Kyle Parker.

"I don't care when I pitch," Broxton said. "Fifth inning, sixth inning, ninth, 12th. I don't care as long as we get the W."

Broxton said the Cardinals are a team he has always wanted to play for, and he is certainly not lacking in familiarity with the club.

Video: Mozeliak wraps up the Trade Deadline

The 6-foot-4 right-hander made three appearances against the Cardinals in the 2009 NLDS as a member of the Los Angels Dodgers, the club he broke into the big leagues with in 2005 and stayed with through 2011.

He pitched for the Royals in 2012, and has spent the last three seasons in the National League Central, first with the Reds (2013-14) and then the Brewers.

"The [Cardinals] are always running a first-class team out there every night," said Broxton, who has faced Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday more than he's faced any other hitter in his career. "They play the game the right way. They play hard, they run hard, they go out there and compete every night and that's all I can ask for and come here and give it my all, too."

Worth noting

Jordan Walden returned to the Cardinals' clubhouse on Saturday. The injured reliever, who is on the 60-day disabled list with right biceps discomfort, made two appearances for Triple-A Memphis this week, but manager Mike Matheny said he is unsure of a timetable for Walden's return.