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Jorge Castillo
The Yankees traded for outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox on Wednesday, as New York continues to bolster a roster at the moment with out famous person outfielder Aaron Judge forward of Thursday’s commerce deadline.
The White Sox acquired minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl in return.
Slater is batting .236 with 5 house runs and a .721 OPS in 51 video games this season, however like latest Yankees acquisition Amed Rosario, he has been very productive in opposition to left-handed pitchers with a .261 batting common, .859 OPS and all 5 of his house runs coming in 77 plate appearances in opposition to them.
“Actually loved my time right here and met some unimaginable individuals,” Slater stated of the White Sox. “Tremendous enjoyable clubhouse to be in. However then additionally actually excited to go play for the Yankees. A kind of groups as a child you at all times dream about taking part in for. And they’re proper in a race for the playoffs. Excited to go there and attempt to assist them out.”
The 32-year-old right-handed hitter missed over a month between April and Might with a torn meniscus in his proper knee. He signed a one-year, $1.75 million cope with Chicago in November, making him a rental for the Yankees earlier than reaching free company once more this offseason.
Slater has began 15 video games in proper subject, 9 in left subject and one as designated hitter this season. He gives the Yankees additional insurance coverage ought to Decide, who’s on the 10-day injured listing with a flexor pressure, not return to the outfield for the rest of the yr.
As of now, the Yankees hope Decide will return in early August after the 10-day minimal absence to function their designated hitter and start a throwing program with the purpose of returning to proper subject this season. Giancarlo Stanton, the membership’s on a regular basis designated hitter, started figuring out in proper subject this week to arrange for the potential for taking part in the sector for the primary time since 2023.
Slater additionally provides Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone extra lineup and in-game flexibility to counter left-handed pitchers with an outfield group that leans closely left-handed. With Decide on the injured listing, the Yankees do not have a right-handed-hitting main outfielder on the energetic roster; Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger are left-handed, and Jasson Dominguez, a switch-hitter, has a .585 OPS in 98 plate appearances batting from the best facet this season. Slater figures to start out video games over Dominguez in opposition to left-handed pitchers.
Slater spent the primary seven-plus seasons of his profession with the San Francisco Giants earlier than being traded to the Cincinnati Reds final summer time. New York might be Slater’s fifth crew in simply over a yr.
“At this level, we’re somewhat extra ready than we have been final yr,” Slater stated. “It was one thing, there was at all times writing on the wall that it might occur. That possibly helped us mentally put together somewhat bit extra this yr.”
Rosario, a utility man acquired from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, provides Boone one other right-handed-hitting nook outfield choice, however he’s additionally slated to play second and third base.
Ziehl, 22, was a fourth-round decide by the Yankees final yr. The appropriate-hander has posted a 4.15 ERA in 16 appearances (15 begins) between three ranges this season, topping out with one begin in Double-A.
Along with Slater and Rosario, the Yankees have traded for veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon up to now week. The Yankees stay out there for pitching, each starters and relievers earlier than Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline, sources stated.
The Related Press contributed to this report.