Yankees acquire 1B/DH Kendrys Morales in trade with Oakland A's

Morales could be DH option with Miguel Andujar back on IL

5/15/2019, 12:59 AM
May 4, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Kendrys Morales (12) hits an RBI triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire
May 4, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Kendrys Morales (12) hits an RBI triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire

The short-term future looks bleak for Yankees slugger Miguel Andujar, who faces potential season-ending surgery, but the Bombers have found themselves another bat. 

The Yankees acquired switch-hitting first baseman/DH Kendrys Morales from the Oakland A's in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. 

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred Jonathan Loaisiga to the 60-day IL. 

Morales, 35, is hitting .204/.310/.259 and just one home run in 34 games this season with the A's, but was productive last year with the Blue Jays, hitting .249/.331/.438 with 15 home runs. 

Morales gives the Yankees a potential DH option in Andujar's absence as well as a backup first baseman behind Luke Voit while Greg Bird continues to serve time on the 60-day IL. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Tuesday that Andujar still has a small labrum and must choose in the next couple of days to undergo surgery or rehab the injury. 


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