The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yankees acquire Frazier, relievers
White Sox get Clippard, three prospects in deal.
The New York Yankees ignited their playoff drive with a bold trade as general manager Brian Cashman acquired power-hitting infielder Todd Frazier and relievers Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson.
“We’re now in a sprint, and we want to be able to run the fastest, swiftest, most successful race we can,” Cashman said, “and hopefully these three new additions can, again, put ourselves in position to do that.”
The deal that sent reliever Tyler Clippard and three prospects, including 2016 first-round draft pick Blake Rutherford, to the White Sox was completed late Tuesday night. Frazier, Kahnle and Robertson arrived at the ballpark around game time on Wednesday afternoon and joined their new teammates in the dugout.
Frazier pinch hit in the seventh inning, striking out in his debut against Twins starter Jose Berrios. He remained in the game at third base, where he’ll stay as a regular with Chase Headley moving to first base, and was hit by a pitch on the right hand in the ninth.
“I was a little foggy, man. I’ll be honest with you. Just getting off the plane, I didn’t really sleep last night,” said Frazier, who is batting just .206 in 82 games with 16 homers and 44 RBIs, following career highs with 40 home runs and 98 RBIs in 2016.
Kahnle struck out two in a perfect eighth inning of the 6-1 loss at Minnesota. Robertson didn’t pitch.
The Yankees sent lefthander Chasen Shreve to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated first baseman Ji-Man Choi and utility man Rob Refsnyder.
The Yankees fell to 10-22 in their past 32 games and 0-8-2 in their past 10 series, but they control the second AL wild-card spot.
Cubs: Third baseman Kris Bryant is not expected to miss a prolonged period of time after he suffered a sprained left little finger that forced him to leave the Wednesday’s win over the Braves. The Cubs say X-rays on the 2016 NL MVP were negative. His status is day to day. Bryant hurt himself in the first inning when he slid head first into third base.
Dodgers: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu (left foot contusion) threw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday and will rejoin the Dodgers’ crowded rotation next week. “It could be Monday, it could be Tuesday,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He feels good but now we have to find a way to drop him in.”
Rockies: Right-hander Chad Bettis will start Sunday for Triple-A Albuquerque as he works his way back from testicular cancer. The plan is for him to throw 60 pitches.
Braves: Right-hander Arodys Vizcaino (strained right index finger) was activated from the DL. He pitched the ninth inning Wednesday and gave up a run in his return after missing 11 games.
Rays: Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. said he felt much better after Wednesday’s game in Oakland, which he exited in the first inning with a strained left hip. He was hurt trying to steal second.
Phillies: Outfielder Rookie Nick Williams is the fourth Phillie since 1913 to have multiple hits and multiple RBIs in four consecutive games, and is the first rookie to do it since Greg Luzinski in 1977.