The New York Yankees have acquired reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles for three minor league pitchers.
The deal sends right-handed starter Dillon Tate, left-handed starter Josh Rogers and righty reliever Cody Carroll to Baltimore.
Britton has earned 139 saves for the Orioles since 2013. The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs were among several other clubs that had been pursuing Britton, who will take a streak of eight consecutive scoreless appearances with him to the Yankees. He was the top reliever available once Jeurys Familia was traded to the A’s.
Britton had ruptured his right Achilles during an offseason workout session and didn’t make his 2018 debut until June 12.
He joins Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and David Robertson as part of a Yankees bullpen that leads the major leagues with a 2.75 ERA and 448 strikeouts. Britton is the team’s third reliever with 100 or more career saves, joining Chapman and Robertson.
Britton said he’ll have no problem setting up Yankees closer Chapman.
“Yeah, I think you’ve got to go into a new team and earn your role, especially with the guys they have over there,” he said. “They’ve got some guys who are doing really well. I’m just going to try to fit in and earn any role that’s given to me.”
Betances, meanwhile, said after Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays that adding Britton is huge for the Yankees, as it allows manager Aaron Boone to further distribute the workload among the back end of the bullpen.
