Cubs make deal as Bombers eye Schwarber
The Cubs have been very interested in the Yankees’ bullpen — and that remains the case — but Chicago’s first deal to improve its relief corps before the trade deadline was made with the Mariners.
While the Cubs continue to watch Yankee lefties Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, they acquired southpaw Mike Montgomery from Seattle on Wednesday in exchange for Triple-A first baseman Dan Vogelbach.
The Yankees are holding out for the injured Kyle Schwarber, a lefty hitter who they believe has a perfect swing for the short porch in right in The Bronx.
The Cubs have been steadfast about not trading Schwarber, even for Miller, who has two years left on his contract after this year — let alone for the flamethrowing Chapman, who will be a free agent following the season.
The notion that the Yankees could sell by the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline is something not many — including Joe Girardi — can relate to.
“My focus is on the game,’’ the manager said before the Yankees’ 5-0 win over the Orioles at the Stadium. “That’s gonna be determined by the powers that be upstairs. My way of affecting it is doing what I can to help this team win games. I can’t focus on the ‘what-ifs. I can only focus on what we do on the field.”
Chad Green, who was scratched from his start for Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, still didn’t have a scheduled start as of Wednesday evening.
“I don’t have anything concerning him,” Girardi said.
There had been thought that Green could be headed to The Bronx to make a spot start and give Masahiro Tanaka an extra day’s rest, but Girardi said Tanaka was still on schedule for Friday in the opener of a threegame series with the Giants — despite the righty’s far greater success with an added day.
“As of right now, we’re not doing anything,” Girardi said.
When asked about being pushed back, Tanaka said through a translator that he was preparing to pitch Friday.
Chase Headley missed Wednesday’s game with an excused absence for personal reasons. The switch-hitting Headley was replaced at third by Ronald Torreyes, who tripled in the seventh. Girardi said he was unsure if Headley would be available Thursday.
Prospect Jorge Mateo returned to Single-A Tampa on Wednesday from a two-week suspension for vio- lating team policy and went 1-for-4 with a home run, while Luis Severino gave up two runs in six innings and struck out a career-high 11 SWB against Charlotte. … The Yankees’ bullpen tossed three shutout innings to extend its scoreless streak to 28 2/3 innings. … Yankees minor league pitcher Jean Peralta was suspended 72 games under MLB’s minor league drug program.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter missed the game with the flu. He was replaced by bench coach John Russell.
Alex Rodriguez, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Gov. Andrew Cuomo were on hand Wednesday to announce the creation of a youth baseball and softball academy at Roberto Clemente State Park in The Bronx. The new field will be named Alex Rodriguez Field.