CUBS ACQUIRE ACE QUINTANA FOR FOUR PROSPECTS IN BIG TRADE WITH WHITE SOX

CHICAGO» The Cubs, scuffling and inconsistent since winning the World Series, acquired ace Jose Quintana from the White Sox on Thursday in a major trade between the crosstown rivals.

Trailing Milwaukee by 5½ games in the NL Central at 43-45, the Cubs shook things up in a big way by acquiring Quintana, a 2016 all-star. In exchange, the Cubs sent four prospects to the rebuilding White Sox: outfielder Eloy Jimenez, right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete.

Quintana, a lefty, is 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 starts this season. He went 13-12 with a 3.20 ERA last year and made his first all-star team.

Quintana has pitched better lately after a slow start and is joining a rotation that hasn’t performed the way the Cubs envisioned. The North Siders’ starters rank 17th in the majors in ERA.

Ace Jon Lester got pounded for 10 runs in twothirds of an inning in his most recent start against Pittsburgh. Jake Arrieta, the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner, has been inconsistent.

Brewers acquire lefty Tyler Webb from Yankees.

MILWAUKEE» The Brewers acquired left-handed reliever Tyler Webb from the Yankees for minorleague first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Webb had a 4.50 ERA in seven appearances this year season with the Yankees without recording a decision.

Rasmus opts to “step away from baseball.”

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.» The Rays put injured Colby Rasmus on the restricted list after the outfielder’s decision to “step away from baseball.”

The Rays didn’t provide details, instead saying in a brief statement that they fully support the player deciding to leave the club.

Footnote. Tim Tebow hit the first game-ending home run of his pro baseball career Thursday night, lifting the Single-A St. Lucie Mets over the Daytona Tortugas 5-4. Tebow is now hitting .327 for St. Lucie.