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MIAMI – With two new hitters in place, the New York Yankees are ready for their playoff practice.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo scored on his Yankees debut on Friday night and all-star outfielder Joey Gallo also faced New York for the first time in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. .
New York got Gallo and Texas Rangers left-hander Joely Rodríguez for four minor-league prospects Thursday. Rizzo’s nine-year tenure with the Chicago Cubs ended after he was sent to the Yankees for two prospects.
Entering the weekend series in Miami, the Yankees had 8½ games behind leaders AL East Boston and 3½ behind Oakland for the league’s second wild card.
“I’ve been hearing for a while that it was a possibility, that New York was on the line for me,” said Gallo. “I grew up being a huge fan of the Yankees. My family is from New York. It was quite surreal that they told me I was going to the Yankees. A great opportunity – they are an amazing team. I’m a part of. I’m excited. “
The addition of Gallo and Rizzo to a roster that already includes Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu and Gary Sánchez provides the Yankees with the left-handed power the club lacked this season.
“Lots of big hitters,” Rizzo said. “Lots of big boys with a lot of influence and walking into a new clubhouse for the first time in a long time is a good feeling. You come here and you can’t help but be excited and anxious to go out there and play. “
Gallo, 27, hit 145 homers in seven seasons with the Rangers and was tied for sixth in majors at 25 this year. He is also commended for his work in the right field.
Gallo started on the right on Friday night but is expected to play fairly regularly in left field with New York.
“It totally agrees with me,” said Gallo. “I’m cool with this.”
For Rizzo, who has clocked 243 homers in 11 major league seasons, joining the Yankees came with the tough emotions of leaving the Cubs. Rizzo, 31, was a centerpiece that helped the Cubs end their 108-year drought at the World Series championship in 2016. His longtime teammates Kris Bryant and Javier Báez were also moved on the deadline. exchanges Friday.
“It’s crazy. We’ve been talking a lot for years and to make it finally happen, you can’t script it,” Rizzo said. “We had great memories and friendships that will last forever.
“Did a lot of special things in front of a fan base that hasn’t seen a World Series in 108 years. Those moments will never be deleted.”
With his trade with the Yankees, Gallo will also have a new look. Gone is the beard that Gallo has been sporting for 10 years, in accordance with New York’s policy on facial hair.
“I had literally just had my hair cut [the day of the trade], beard size, everything, “Gallo said.” And three hours later you’re traded and you go to New York. Ah man, I guess I have to shave. So I went home and had to do it myself. It’s one of the rules for playing in New York. I don’t mind doing it. I haven’t seen my face for about 10 years. “
Gallo will wear his usual No.13 uniform with the Yankees, previously worn by Alex Rodríguez. Rizzo, who wore number 44 with the Cubs, had no choice but to change as the club retired the number in honor of Reggie Jackson. Rizzo will wear # 48.
“Kind of a slim pick here, for the right reasons,” Rizzo said.
As of Friday’s trade deadline, the Yankees also secured Los Angeles Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney for minor-league right-hangers Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero. Los Angeles will send $ 500,000 to the Yankees on Sept. 15, offsetting a portion of the remaining $ 2,322,581 from Heaney’s $ 6.75 million salary.
An eight-season major-league veteran, Heaney was 6-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 18 starts for the Angels this season.
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