A winner both method: José Caballero traded from Rays to Yankees whereas groups have been enjoying one another

[ad_1] NEW YORK (AP) — José Caballero turned an inning-ending double play for the Tampa Bay Rays within the fifth inning, then batted within the sixth.

By the underside of the seventh, he was on the opposite staff.

In a wierd improvement even for trade-deadline day round Main League Baseball, the Rays shipped Caballero to the New York Yankees — whereas the groups have been nonetheless enjoying one another Thursday afternoon.

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Caballero was faraway from Tampa Bay's lineup in the course of the seventh-inning stretch, and the deal was introduced after the Yankees nailed down a 7-4 victory in a sport interrupted by rain for practically three hours within the fifth.

“I simply noticed Caballero within the clubhouse, in order that was a bit of odd,” New York supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned afterward. “I noticed him really hugging folks within the eighth.”

After studying he'd been traded, Caballero exchanged hugs within the Tampa Bay dugout at Yankee Stadium together with his Rays teammates and supervisor Kevin Money.

Each golf equipment have been energetic proper up till the 6 p.m. deadline, and Tampa Bay despatched the speedy Caballero to the AL East-rival Yankees for Triple-A outfielder Everson Pereira and a participant to be named or money.

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Pereira performed 27 main league video games for New York in 2023.

The 28-year-old Caballero has 34 stolen bases this season, tied for many within the majors. He’s batting .226 with two homers and 27 RBIs in 86 video games and has began at shortstop, second base, third base and all three outfield positions.

Caballero did not begin Thursday for the Rays however entered within the backside of the fifth when All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda bought injured. Caballero got here in to play second base, and Brandon Lowe shifted from second base to first.

Caballero stayed within the sport following a rain delay that lasted 2 hours, 45 minutes. However when Tampa Bay took the sphere for the underside of the seventh, he got here out. Lowe moved again to second base and Matt Thaiss entered at first.

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“It’s undoubtedly bizarre, however you’ve seen it on TV a number of occasions of individuals saying goodbye in the midst of the sport in these conditions,” Lowe mentioned. “It was a bit of bizarre to see it occur, however you simply form of put all of the items collectively and determine it out for ourselves.”

After the sport, Caballero performed his postgame interview as a member of the Yankees of their clubhouse — after clearing out his Rays locker on the opposite aspect of the stadium.

“I used to be profitable right this moment regardless,” Caballero mentioned. “We received the sport, I assume. That’s what I really feel proper now.”

Tampa Bay made two different trades Thursday, buying beginning pitcher Adrian Houser from the Chicago White Sox and reliever Griffin Jax from Minnesota.

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The staff obtained catcher Nick Fortes from Miami early Tuesday, after sending veteran catcher Danny Jansen to Milwaukee the earlier evening.

Zack Littell pitched 5 scoreless innings Wednesday evening for the Rays at Yankee Stadium, then instantly was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.

“It’s been a singular week,” Money mentioned.

Caballero was acquired by Tampa Bay from Seattle in January 2024. As a rookie with the Mariners in June 2023, he irritated Yankees ace Gerrit Cole a lot the right-hander — sidelined this season with an damage — threw a 97 mph fastball to him that landed excessive up on the backstop.

Cole’s pitch was in response to Caballero stepping out repeatedly throughout his first two plate appearances till the pitch clock was right down to the 8-second requirement to be within the batter’s field and alert.

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“I talked to him for a second,” Boone mentioned. "I mentioned, `We’ve had some battles however I like your sport.' So I feel he brings loads to the desk and I feel he’s going to be a really helpful participant for us, simply loads of various things he can do on a diamond and supply loads of place flexibility."