The Cleveland Indians acquired left-handed All-Star reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees on Sunday in a five-player trade to bolster their bullpen. In exchange, the Yankees received a package of four prospects — outfielder Clint Frazier, left-hander Justus Sheffield and right-handed pitchers Ben Heller and JP Feyereisen. The Yankees had been entertaining offers for Miller after they traded closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs last week. Miller, 31, has gone 6-1 with nine saves and a 1.39 ERA over 45 1/3 innings in 44 relief appearances this season for the Yankees.
He currently owns the sixth-lowest relief ERA. He owns an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, is averaging 15.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and is second in the league with 77 relief strikeouts. He has allowed runs in just eight of 44 outings and has not allowed multiple runs in an appearance this season.
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The Yankees added bullpen help after trading Miller, acquiring right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks received minor league right-hander Vicente Campos in return for Clippard.
Dellin Betances is expected to take over as the Yankees’ closer, with Clippard being in the setup spot. Clippard, 31, was 2-3 with one save and a 4.30 ERA over 37 2/3 innings in 40 relief appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2016. Prior to the season, he signed a two-year contract with Arizona as a free agent.
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Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade to the Cleveland Indians. The Brewers and Indians had agreed on a trade Saturday night that would have sent Lucroy to the Indians in exchange for four prospects.
The centrepiece being switch-hitting catcher Francisco Mejia, the Indians’ sixth-ranked prospect.
Lucroy sat out Saturday’s game as the trade talks were completed and was not in the lineup Sunday despite the trade being off. The Indians were one of eight teams on Lucroy’s no-trade list.
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Kansas City Royals All-Star closer Wade Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his pitching arm, the team announced. The right-hander underwent an MRI exam earlier Sunday, and a Grade 1 strain was discovered.
Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters that Davis’ elbow looked “fine” during the exam. Kansas City recalled left-hander Matt Strahm from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to fill the roster opening.
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Newly acquired Miami Marlins right-hander Colin Rea was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being injured in his first outing with the squad. Rea departed after 3 1/3 scoreless innings on Saturday night with a sprained pitching elbow.
The Marlins recalled right-hander Nefi Ogando from Triple-A New Orleans to fill his roster spot. Rea was obtained from the San Diego Padres on Friday.
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The St. Louis Cardinals acquired veteran left-handed reliever Zach Duke from the Chicago White Sox. In exchange, the White Sox get minor league outfielder Charlie Tilson. Duke, 33, is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in an American League-leading 53 appearances this season. He has 42 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings pitched.
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The St. Louis Cardinals suffered a potentially damaging loss in the first inning of Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins when rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz was hit by an Andrew Cashner fastball. Diaz, who was hit on his right thumb, was removed from the game.
A valuable rookie, Diaz is batting.312 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. There was no immediate announcement from the team regarding his status.
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New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera had to be helped off the field when he suffered a strained patellar tendon in his left knee while scoring a run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. It is uncertain whether Cabrera will be placed on the disabled list.