MLB rumors: Yankees, Rangers talk trade as outfield injuries mount – NJ.com

The Texas Rangers might have some lovely parting gifts for the New York Yankees, who won three of four games this week at Globe Life Field.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports “Yankees talking to Rangers about trade for outfielder Delino DeShields Jr., sources tell @TheAthletic. DeShields off to good start at Triple A with Texas – .412/.500/.706 in 40 plate appearances. Yankees OFers Hicks, Stanton, LaMarre on IL, Frazier dealing with stiff neck.”

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As Rosenthal mentioned, the Yankees are running out of healthy bodies in the outfield. Both Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton are on the injured list. So is Ryan LaMarre, who was called up from Triple-A Scranton this week. On top of that, Clint Frazier has been battling a sore neck. That has left manager Aaron Boone with just Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner as sure things, with Miguel Andujar and utility man Tyler Wade getting some outfield reps.

The 28-year-old DeShields Jr. has six years of MLB service to his credit. He played for the Rangers from 2015 to 2019, and spent 2020 with the Cleveland Indians. The lifetime .246 hitter finished seventh in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2015.

DeShields Jr. was a first-round draft pick of the Houston Astros in 2010, who traded him to the Rangers after the 2014 season. The Rangers traded him to the Indians after the 2019 season as part of the Corey Kluber deal. DeShields Jr. re-signed with the Rangers in February.

DeShields Jr. is the son of former big-league second baseman Delino DeShields. The 13-year veteran played from 1990 to 2002, suiting up for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs.

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