BOSTON (AP) – The slumping Red Sox began to overhaul their roster on Tuesday night, acquiring infielder Tony Graffanino from the Kansas City Royals and outfielder Adam Hyzdu from the San Diego Padres.

Boston also designated left-handed reliever Alan Embree for assignment.

The Red Sox, who lost six of seven heading into Tuesday night’s game against Tampa Bay, sent Single-A left-hander Juan Cedeno and Triple-A outfielder Chip Ambres to Kansas City.

Boston, which has wasted a four-game lead in the AL East and fallen a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the division, sent right-hander Scott Cassidy to San Diego for Hyzdu, who joins the Red Sox organization for the fourth time.

Graffanino, who played all four infield positions for the Royals, was batting .298 with three homers and 18 RBIs playing part-time for the Royals. The Red Sox have needed a second baseman since Mark Bellhorn sprained his thumb over the weekend, leaving them with just Alex Cora there; they’ve needed an outfielder since Jay Payton was exiled for a tantrum in the dugout.

Cedeno was 2-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 21 appearances at Wilmington. He has 68 strikeouts and 37 walks in 78 1-3 innings.

Ambres was a first-round draft pick by the Marlins in 1998 who was batting .294 with 10 homers, 50 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in Pawtucket.

Hyzdu had three hits in 20 at-bats for San Diego and also spent time in the minors this season. Hyzdu returns for his fourth stint with the Red Sox organization; most recently, he was traded to the Padres in spring training for Blaine Neal.

Embree had filled a key role for the 2004 champions, going 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances during the regular season and a 2.46 ERA while appearing in 11 of Boston’s 14 postseason games. He was on the mound for the final out of the team’s epic comeback against the New York Yankees in the AL championship series.

But he has struggled this year, going 1-4 with a 7.65 ERA in 43 games.

AP-ES-07-19-05 2103EDT