Another relief pitching shuffle is happening ahead of the MLB trade deadline, with Jason Adam, a key member of the Rays’ relief corps since 2022, being sent to the Padres in exchange for Dylan Lesko, Homer Bush Jr. and J.D. Gonzalez, Joel Sherman of The Washington Post confirmed on Sunday.
Adam appeared in 47 games this season, pitching for closer Pete Fairbanks and posting a 2.49 ERA with 50 walks and 16 strikeouts.
He becomes the latest relief pitcher to be traded before the July 30 deadline, with Angels closer Carlos Estevez going to the Phillies on Saturday and Mariners reliever Ryne Stanek going to the Mets on Friday.
And that means options are starting to dwindle for teams still searching for relief pitchers, which reportedly includes the Yankees.
Washington Post reporter Jon Heyman reported Saturday that the Yankees are one of six teams — along with the Orioles, Phillies, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Mariners — in the running to acquire Marlins star closer Tanner Scott, adding another bolster to a struggling bullpen that also includes closer Clay Holmes.
Before his late-inning performance against the Red Sox on Saturday, Michael Tonkin gave up two runs in the seventh inning and the Yankees looked set to lose, but Trent Grisham tied the game at 2-2 with two outs in the ninth.
Heyman also reported Sunday that the Yankees have expressed interest in starting pitcher Blake Snell, but it’s unclear whether the Giants will let go of the starter who struck out 15 batters in his last appearance.
