Yankees finally get in on trade deadline day, acquire Keynan Middleton from White Sox
NEW YORK - Just before a quiet trade deadline passed Tuesday in the Bronx, the Yankees swung deals for two less-than-bold name right-handed pitchers.
Reliever Keynan Middleton was acquired from the Chicago White Sox, in exchange for minor league pitcher Juan Carela, and Spencer Howard arrived from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.
In his free agent walk year, Middleton, 29, has a 3.96 ERA in 39 games this season, with 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.
The right-handed Carela, 21, has posted a 3.67 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) this year at Class A Hudson Valley, with 109 strikeouts in 83.1 innings.
Carela was the No. 29 prospect in the Yankees system, as rated by MLB Pipeline.
According to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, Middleton is a pitcher the Yankees have followed with interest as a six-year minor league free agent. He'll slot into the Yankees' bullpen mix.
Howard, recently designated for assignment by Texas, will be assigned to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Howard, 27, has posted a 7.20 ERA in parts of four big-league seasons with the Phillies and Rangers, with 29 starts in 38 MLB appearances.
Additionally, the Yankees transferred catcher Jose Trevino (wrist surgery) to the 60-day injury list in order to clear 40-man roster space.