CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs on Friday, a move that should give the AL Central leaders a fearsome bullpen for their playoff push. The White Sox already had one of baseball's best closers in All-Star Liam Hendriks. Now the South Siders add Kimbrel, who has a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves in 25 opportunities for the Cubs this season and leads NL relievers in strikeout rate and opponents' batting average. Kimbrel ranks ninth with 371 career saves during his 12 years in the majors. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said he had a plan for how to use both closers, but was not ready to divulge specifics. “On any given day, one may be available, the other one may not be,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “It puts us in a position where we have a very dynamic and impactful bullpen regardless of the situation that arises in each game.” The White Sox paid quite a price to get Kimbrel: They sent second baseman Nick Madrigal, a budding star who is out... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired Los Angeles Angels starter Andrew Heaney on Friday, adding a pitcher after making two big trades for sluggers. The Yankees got the 30-year-old lefty and cash for minor league right-handers Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero. New York began the day at 53-48, fourth in the AL wild-card race for two spots. As Friday's trade deadline approached, the Yankees got All-Star outfielder Joey Gallo from Texas and star first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs. Heaney was 6-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 18 starts for the Angels this year. He is 30-36 with a 4.57 ERA in eight seasons with Miami and Los Angeles — he posted his first big league win against the Yankees in 2015. Heaney will join a rotation that includes ace Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery, Jameson Taillon and Domingo Germán. The 25-year-old Junk was 4-1 with a 1.78 ERA at Double-A Somerset. The 24-year-old Peguero was a combined 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 21 relief appearances for High-A Hudson Valley and Somerset. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets acquired flashy shortstop Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. Báez, a two-time All-Star and 2020 Gold Glove winner, gives the NL East leaders an immediate fill-in for injured buddy Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Lindor is sidelined with a strained oblique and isn't expected back until at least mid-to-late August. Báez, who can become a free agent after the season, is batting .248 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs. He has a .775 OPS and 13 stolen bases in 16 tries, but also leads the National League with 131 strikeouts. He has made 18 errors in 88 games. When Lindor returns, Báez could move to second base or third. Williams also is a significant part of the deal for the Mets, who were eager to reinforce a thin starting rotation depleted by injuries. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 5.06 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) this season, his first with the Cubs after spending his first five years... [More]

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story will remain with the team with the trade deadline having passed, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network. Feinsand adds that the team intends to make a qualifying offer to Story after the season, and will collect a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. So after much speculation heading into today, the Rockies will hang onto both Story and starting pitcher Jon Gray after all. Their value through the rest of the year will remain unchanged in fantasy.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs on Friday, a move that should give the AL Central leaders a fearsome bullpen for their playoff push. The White Sox already had one of baseball's best closers in All-Star Liam Hendriks. Now the South Siders add Kimbrel, who has a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves in 25 opportunities for the Cubs this season and leads NL relievers in strikeout rate and opponents' batting average. Kimbrel ranks ninth in history with 371 saves in his 12 years in the majors. The White Sox paid quite a price to get him: They sent second baseman Nick Madrigal, a budding star who is out for the season with a torn right hamstring, to the Cubs along with right-handed reliever Codi Heuer. “We viewed Craig as the premier relief pitcher available at this trade deadline, and so we knew the cost would be steep in terms of parting with young talent,” White sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “But we recognize the special opportunity... [More]

Minnesota Twins pitcher Griffin Jax will start for the team on Thursday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old previously made his Major League debut this season. He's made six appearances for the Twins, two of which have been starts. Overall, the right-hander has pitched to a 7.48 ERA and a 6.76 FIP in 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters and walking nine. Even against a Cardinals lineup that can struggle to score runs, you're probably better off looking elsewhere for streaming options.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays are believed to be the two main contenders for Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story if he is traded before the deadline, according to Joel Sherman of MLB Network. Sherman adds the Mets and Giants have expressed interest in Story as well, but there is no certainty that he will be dealt prior to the deadline. Story is in the midst of a down year at the plate, hitting .240 with a .741 OPS, but has still recorded 13 homers, 17 steals, 48 RBI and 48 runs scored over 89 games. Managers will want to keep an eye out for any further developments before the deadline.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ CLOCK IS TICKING Ace Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner could be moving from the Washington Nationals to the Los Angeles Dodgers as the 4 p.m. EDT trade deadline approaches. The Dodgers and Nationals were close to deal late Thursday night after a day full of trades. Washington sent slugger Kyle Schwarber to Boston, closer Brad Hand to Toronto and reliever Daniel Hudson to San Diego. The New York Yankees acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo after completing another trade to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. Already with an eight-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox acquired second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the Indians, and then got reliever Ryan Tepera from the Cubs. Left-hander Danny Duffy went from Kansas City to the Dodgers. Seattle got right-hander Diego Castillo from Tampa Bay Rays, and he likely will take over the closer role vacated when the Mariners... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

The New York Yankees acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo for two minor leaguers Thursday in their second major trade this week for desperately needed left-handed bats. Chicago will pay the Yankees $5,652,403 as part of the trade, covering all but $202,435 of the remainder of Rizzo's $16.5 million salary, which comes to a prorated share of the $570,500 minimum. The swap came ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline Friday at 4 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Yankees announced they had gotten All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from Texas. Rizzo is batting .248 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. The 31-year-old had been a fixture at Wrigley Field for a decade, and helped the Cubs break their long World Series drought with a championship in 2016. Popular in the clubhouse and with Cubs fans, Rizzo didn't play in a 7-4 loss at home to Cincinnati on Thursday. The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner can become a free agent after the season. New York is fourth in the AL... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for a powerful, left-handed bat to park balls in the short porch at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees got two of them. Hours after announcing their trade to acquire All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from Texas, the playoff-chasing Yankees worked out a deal for longtime Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Thursday. The swaps came on a day the Yankees lost at Tampa Bay 14-0, leaving them far behind Boston in the AL East and fourth in the chase for two wild-card spots. Team officials, including owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, have been holding meetings in nearby Tampa, Florida. “Part of the reason I’m here is because Hal always goes for it, and so does Brian,” Yankees ace Gerrit Cole said after the lopsided loss. “Continue to push chips in. I trust that they’re going to do what’s best for the organization, what’s best to win. I trust they’re going to try and make us better one way or another, and they did.” The Yankees made the moves... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for a powerful, left-handed bat to park balls in the short porch at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees got two of them. Hours after announcing their trade to acquire All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from Texas, the playoff-chasing Yankees worked out a deal for longtime Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Thursday. The swaps came on a day the Yankees lost at Tampa Bay 14-0, leaving them far behind Boston in the AL East and fourth in the chase for two wild-card spots. Team officials, including owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, have been holding meetings in nearby Tampa, Florida. “Part of the reason I’m here is because Hal always goes for it, and so does Brian,” Yankees ace Gerrit Cole said after the lopsided loss. “Continue to push chips in. I trust that they’re going to do what’s best for the organization, what’s best to win. I trust they’re going to try and make us better one way or another, and they did.” The Yankees made the moves... [More]

The New York Yankees acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and cash for two minor leaguers Thursday in their second major trade this week for desperately needed left-handed bats. The swap came ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline Friday at 4 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Yankees announced they had gotten All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from Texas. Rizzo is batting .248 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. The 31-year-old had been a fixture at Wrigley Field for a decade, and helped the Cubs break their long World Series drought with a championship in 2016. Popular in the clubhouse and with Cubs fans, Rizzo didn't play in a 7-4 loss at home to Cincinnati on Thursday. The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner is making $16.5 million this year and can become a free agent after the season. New York is fourth in the AL wild-card chase for two spots. The Yankees lost 14-0 at Tampa Bay on Thursday. The Cubs have been in a prolonged slide that dropped them below .500,... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Friday: ___ CLOCK IS TICKING Time is running out for playoff contenders to bolster their rosters through a trade, and there likely will be more players changing teams before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was among those still on the trading block. The right-hander made what might have been his last start for the Washington Nationals, allowing one run and three hits in six innings to win the the opener of a doubleheader Thursday. He then watched the second game against Philadelphia from the dugout. There was a lot of movement Thursday, with the selling Nationals sending closer Brad Hand to Toronto. Shortstop Trea Turner, currently out because of COVID-19 protocols, could also be headed out of Washington. The New York Yankees acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo after completing another trade to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. Already with an eight-game lead over Cleveland... [More]

The New York Yankees have acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and cash in a trade for prospects, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. The swap came a day before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and was the Yankees' second major move this week. Earlier in the day, they announced they had gotten All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from Texas. Rizzo is batting .248 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. The 31-year-old had been a fixture at Wrigley Field for a decade, and helped the Cubs break their long World Series drought with a championship in 2016. The three-time All-Star didn't play in the Cubs' 7-4 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday. He is making $16.5 million this year and can become a free agent after the season. Both Rizzo and Gallo are both left-handed hitters, which the Yankees had been desperately lacking. New York began the day fourth in the AL wild-card chase for two spots and then lost 14-0 at Tampa Bay. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker contributed to this report. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Alexander Vizcaino and outfielder Kevin Alcantara, per Jack Curry of the Yes Network. Vizcaino and Alcantara rank as two of the Yankees' top-15 prospects, though this is a major upgrade for New York at a position they've received little production this season. Rizzo has been solid for Chicago this year, as he has slashed .248/.346/.446 with 14 homers, 40 RBI, and 41 runs scored. The expected statistics suggest he's been a bit unlucky- and a move to the Bronx with the short, right-field porch should provide a slight boost to his power numbers in the second half.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, one walk, and three strikeouts in an 8-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Story put the Rockies on the board early when he smacked a two-run homer, his 13th of the season, off of starter Andrew Heaney in the top of the first inning. He would reach base again with a walk and but also strike out three times in the contest. He's scuffled at the plate over his last 15 games, slashing .183/.254/.333 with a pair of home runs and 25 strikeouts. Overall, he's hitting .240 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, and 17 stolen bases over 329 at-bats. He's been drawing a lot of interest from the Yankees and the Giants on the trade market and will most likely be dealt before Friday's deadline.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had a big day at the plate in Wednesday's win over the Colorado Rockies, going 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks, three RBI, and two runs scored. The home run was his MLB-leading 37th of the year, and he is now slashing an astounding .280/.367/.691 with 81 RBI and 72 runs. Ohtani was slumping a bit after the All-Star break, but he's back on track now, going eight for his last 18. He's a must-start in every league, and that will be the case the rest of the season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]