The San Diego Padres officially sent outfielders Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade on Wednesday in exchange for right-handers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka. The Padres cleared payroll space and acquired some much-needed pitching help with this massive deal. King, 28, could give the team a solid mid-rotation starter, but he struggled in the big leagues before 2023 and has already dealt with a major elbow injury. Thorpe, 23, was the Yankees' No. 5 prospect and could be a rotation option down the line, but he has yet to pitch above Double-A. Brito, 25, doesn't miss many bats and is likely ticketed for a relief role after struggling as a starter in the majors. Vasquez, 25, has durability questions but could serve as a back-end starter for the Friars. And Higashioka, 34, has some decent power and should serve as ... [More]

The New York Yankees placed outfielder Joey Gallo and catcher Kyle Higashioka on the COVID-19 injured list prior to Game 1 of the team's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. In corresponding moves, the team called up relief pitcher David McKay from Triple-A and signed catcher Rob Brantly to a major league contract, selecting him to the team's 26-man roster. It's unclear how long both players will be out, but we could see Marwin Gonzalez benefit from Gallo's absence, while Jose Trevino will serve as the team's starting catcher.

New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka will be behind the plate for Tuesday's Wild Card game against the Red Sox. With Gerrit Cole on the mound, Higashioka will man the catcher spot as the ace right-hander's personal backstop. Starter Gary Sanchez, who hit just eight homers with a .646 OPS in the second half, will head to the bench, though he could have a role late in the game if needed as a pinch hitter. Higashioka did hit 10 homers in the regular season but is most valuable for his defensive contributions behind the plate.

New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka had a big day at the plate Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and two runs scored. With Gary Sanchez back in the fold, Higashioka should not be on any fantasy rosters, but he's put together a decent season with a .659 OPS and eight home runs. Still, fantasy managers surely have far better options on the waiver wire.

New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka belted his seventh home run of the season in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals. Higashioka gave the Yankees the lead with his 408-foot blast, which left his bat at 103.7 MPH. The backup catcher had a tough day in the field, making a couple of throwing errors, so it was nice to see him redeem himself somewhat at the dish. Higashioka has been the primary catcher with Gary Sanchez on the COVID-19 injured list, though he offers limited fantasy upside, having posted just a .672 OPS this season.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ BIG NAMES TEST POSITIVE COVID-19 continues to impact major league rosters more than 16 months after spring training was shut down in 2020 because of the coronavirus. The Washington Nationals will likely be without star shortstop Trea Turner for the next several days, while the Milwaukee Brewers will be missing 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich for more than a week. Turner and Yelich recently tested positive. Yelich and teammate Jace Peterson were placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday. Turner was pulled in the first inning of Tuesday night's game at Philadelphia. Turner began the day batting .320 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs. He singled and scored in the first inning, then headed directly up the tunnel toward the Nationals' clubhouse and was replaced in the bottom of the first. The Phillies announced later in the game that Turner had tested positive, ending speculation that he was lifted for a possible pending trade or due to injury.... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Wednesday: ___ BIG NAMES TEST POSITIVE COVID-19 continues to impact major league rosters more than 16 months after spring training was shut down in 2020 because of the coronavirus. The Washington Nationals will likely be without star shortstop Trea Turner for the next several days, while the Milwaukee Brewers will be missing 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich for more than a week. Turner and Yelich recently tested positive. Yelich and teammate Jace Peterson were placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday. Turner was pulled in the first inning of Tuesday night's game at Philadelphia. Turner began the day batting .320 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs. He singled and scored in the first inning, then headed directly up the tunnel toward the Nationals' clubhouse and was replaced in the bottom of the first. The Phillies announced later in the game that Turner had tested positive, ending speculation that he was lifted for a possible pending trade or due... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka have been reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the moves before Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay. Judge started in right field and batted second against the Rays. “It's huge, obviously,” Boone said of Judge's return. “Really excited to have him back. Has been feeling really strong the last few days." Both went on the IL on July 16. The Yankees started Tuesday 9½ games behind AL East-leading Boston and eight back of the second-place Rays. Judge and Higashioka took batting practice on Monday's off day at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training complex, in Tampa, Florida. First baseman Luke Voit, on the IL with left knee inflammation, took batting practice and defensive drills. He is expected back in the next couple days. “I would say he's very close,” Boone said. “We'll have a decision here in the next day or two.” Outfielder Clint... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka have been reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the moves before Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay. Judge started in right field and batted second against the Rays. Both went on the IL July 16. Judge and Higashioka took batting practice on Monday's off day at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training complex, in Tampa, Florida. The Yankees (51-47) started Tuesday 9½ games behind AL East-leading Boston and eight back of the second-place Rays. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka have been reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the moves before Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay. Judge started in right field and batted second against the Rays. Both went on the IL July 16. Judge and Higashioka took batting practice on Monday's off day at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training complex, in Tampa, Florida. The Yankees (51-47) started Tuesday 9½ games behind AL East-leading Boston and eight back of the second-place Rays. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ HERE WE GO AGAIN The Dodgers and Giants are back at it, renewing their long-standing rivalry in San Francisco with left-hander Julio Urias (12-3, 3.63 ERA) on the mound for Los Angeles against Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco took three of four at Dodger Stadium last week and leads the NL West by two games over the defending World Series champions. TAMPA HEAT After losing three of four in Boston last weekend, the New York Yankees play another AL East rival on the road when they begin a critical three-game series at Tampa Bay. New York (51-47) is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming, and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step toward returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ HERE WE GO AGAIN The Dodgers and Giants are back at it, renewing their long rivalry in San Francisco with left-hander Julio Urias (12-3, 3.63 ERA) on the mound for Los Angeles against Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco took three of four at Dodger Stadium last week and leads the NL West by two games over the defending World Series champions. TAMPA HEAT After losing three of four in Boston last weekend, the New York Yankees play another AL East rival on the road when they begin a critical three-game series at Tampa Bay. New York (51-47) is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming, and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step toward returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner Field... [More]

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step in returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. First baseman Luke Voit, on the IL with left knee inflammation, also took part in the workout at the Yankees’ spring training complex. With manager Aaron Boone present, Judge also did defensive drills in right field. New York was off Monday before opening a key series Tuesday night in nearby St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays. Judge and Higashioka, placed on the IL July 16, are expected back during the three-game set. The Yankees (51-47) started Monday nine games behind AL East-leading Boston and eight back of the second-place Rays. New York is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the Tampa area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt, out since... [More]

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step in returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. First baseman Luke Voit, on the IL with left knee inflammation, also took part in the workout at the Yankees’ spring training complex. With manager Aaron Boone present, Judge also did defensive drills in right field. New York was off Monday before opening a key series Tuesday night in nearby St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays. Judge and Higashioka, placed on the IL July 16, are expected back during the three-game set. The Yankees (51-47) started Monday nine games behind AL East-leading Boston and eight back of the second-place Rays. New York is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the Tampa area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt, out since spring training with an elbow strain, allowed one hit and struck out five over three innings for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Yankees against the FCL Tigers West. He threw 24 of 30 pitches for strikes during his first rehab start. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Yankees pitchers Nestor Cortes and Jonathan Loaisiga have been reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list, the first of six New York players to go on the list before the start of the second half of the season. To make room on the roster Friday, right-hander Darren O'Day (left hamstring strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL and right-hander Nick Nelson was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Manager Aaron Boone said before Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox that the rest of the players that were part of the recent COVID-19 outbreak are also getting closer to rejoining the active roster. Third baseman Gio Urshela is now with the team in Boston and could be activated as soon as Sunday. Outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka are on pace to at least rejoin the team in Boston Sunday and may be ready Tuesday for the opener of New York's series at Tampa Bay. Boone said left-hander Wandy Peralta could be given a rehab assignment before being activated to the major league roster. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez shut down the short-handed Yankees into the sixth inning, Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez homered and the Boston Red Sox beat their rivals 4-0 on Friday night with New York missing slugger Aaron Judge and five others due to a coronavirus outbreak. A day after the series opener was postponed for testing and contact tracing, Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were added to the COVID-19 injured list. They joined Yankees pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta, who have also tested positive over the past week. New York was also without first baseman Luke Voit, who went on the injured list Friday with a bone bruise in his left knee. Rodriguez (7-5) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 10 straight during one stretch and finishing with eight strikeouts. Hirokazu Sawamura got the final out of the sixth, and Tanner Houck pitched the final three innings, closing out Boston’s three-hitter for his first... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez shut down the short-handed Yankees into the sixth inning, Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez homered and the Boston Red Sox beat their rivals 4-0 on Friday night with New York missing slugger Aaron Judge and five others due to a coronavirus outbreak. A day after the series opener was postponed for testing and contact tracing, Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were added to the COVID-19 injured list. They joined Yankees pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta, who have also tested positive over the past week. New York was also without first baseman Luke Voit, who went on the injured list Friday with a bone bruise in his left knee. Rodriguez (7-5) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 10 straight during one stretch and finishing with eight strikeouts. Hirokazu Sawamura got the final out of the sixth, and Tanner Houck pitched the final three innings, closing out Boston’s three-hitter for his first... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez shut down the short-handed Yankees into the sixth inning, Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez homered and the Boston Red Sox beat their rivals 4-0 on Friday night with New York missing slugger Aaron Judge and five others due to a coronavirus outbreak. A day after the series opener was postponed for testing and contact tracing, Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were added to the COVID-19 injured list. They joined Yankees pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta, who have also tested positive over the past week. New York was also without first baseman Luke Voit, who went on the injured list Friday with a bone bruise in his left knee. Rodriguez (7-5) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 10 straight during one stretch and finishing with eight strikeouts. Hirokazu Sawamura got the final out of the sixth, and Tanner Houck pitched the final three innings, closing out Boston’s three-hitter for his first... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez shut down the short-handed Yankees into the sixth inning, Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez homered and the Boston Red Sox beat their rivals 4-0 on Friday night with New York missing slugger Aaron Judge and five others due to a coronavirus outbreak. A day after the series opener was postponed for testing and contact tracing, Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were added to the COVID-19 injured list. They joined Yankees pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta, who have also tested positive over the past week. New York was also without first baseman Luke Voit, who went on the injured list Friday with a bone bruise in his left knee. Rodriguez (7-5) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 10 straight during one stretch and finishing with eight strikeouts. Hirokazu Sawamura got the final out of the sixth, and Tanner Houck pitched the final three innings, closing out Boston’s three-hitter for his first... [More]