Yanks trade for Benintendi

NEW YORK » The New York Yankees made the first of what could be a flurry of moves ahead of next week’s trade deadline, acquiring All-star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals for three minor league pitchers on Wednesday night.

Right-handers Chandler Champlain and Beck Way went to the Royals with lefthander T.J. Sikkema.

Benintendi, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, was among 10 Royals who missed a four-game series at Toronto from July 14-17 because he was not vaccinated. Benintendi lost $186,813 of his $8.5 million salary.

New York believes he is amenable to vaccination. He is hitting .320 with three homers, 39 RBIS and a .788 OPS and won a Gold Glove in left field last season.

MLB average salary up.

NEW YORK » Major League Baseball’s average salary as of opening day is up 6% from the start of the 2021 season because of arbitration decisions and settlements.

That’s according to a study by The Associated Press. The revised average salary went up by $1,091 to $4,415,275 — an increase from $4,414,184 when AP published the study in April.

Mets plan degrom return next week. NEW YORK »

Mets ace Jacob degrom pitched four innings Wednesday for Triple-a Syracuse, finishing strong after a shaky start in what is expected to be his last minor league rehab outing before rejoining New York.

Sidelined all season by a stress reaction in his right scapula, degrom gave up four runs on a pair of homers.

No. 1 pick Holliday gets $8.19M bonus.

BALTIMORE » Jackson Holliday, Baltimore’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 amateur draft and son of former Rockie Matt Holiday, signed a contract with an $8.19 million signing bonus and a slot value of $8,846,900 on Wednesday.