batsmen tied Chan Ho Park for the league lead and set a Brewers record. After the season, on October 30, he had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Wright fell to third in Milwaukee's rotation in 2002, preceded by Ben Sheets and Rubén Quevedo. He was placed on the disabled list with a right rotator cuff tear after his first start of the year on April 4; Wright did not return until May 24. On July 1, he allowed just three hits in a 2–0 shutout of the Pirates. Through August 30, he had a 5–13 record and a 5.35 ERA. St. Louis Cardinals On July 1, 2002, Wright was traded with cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later (Mike Matthews) and Chris Morris. Wright had a 2–0 record in four appearances (three starts) for the Cardinals, with a 4.80 ERA. In 23 games (22 starts) total in 2002, he had a 7–13 record and a 5.29 ERA. The Cardinals won the NL Central title and advanced to the NL Championship Series (NLCS), losing to the Giants, but Wright was not part of the playoff roster. In 2013, when Wright expressed his desire to make an appearance in the playoffs, he told reporters that his time with St. Louis "definitely does not count". After the season, he became a free agent. Journeyman On January 28, 2003, Wright signed with the Seattle Mariners. It was a one-year, minor league contract with a $400,000 option if he made the majors. He spent most of spring training with them but was released on March 18, the last player cut prior to the regular season. He re-signed with the Brewers organization on March 26. After he appeared in seven games (four starts) with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, he was released on April 28. He was then signed by the Texas Rangers on May 7, and he made seven starts for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, where he was 2–1 with a 4.12 ERA. Texas released him on June 15, and he signed with the Kansas City Royals on June 20. He made 13 appearances (12 starts) with the Triple-A Omaha Royals and was 3–5 with a 3.64 ERA. The Royals called him up to the majors on September 6, and he pitched a complete game that day against the Anaheim Angels, though the team