The New York Yankees boosted their starting rotation Monday, acquiring left-hander Sterling Hitchcock from the San Diego Padres for two minor leaguers.
Hitchcock, who spent parts of four seasons with the Yankees, is coming back to New York for minor league pitcher Brett Jodie and another prospect, according to a baseball official familiar with the trade who spoke on the condition he not be identified.
News of the deal was first reported on the Web site of The New York Times, which said San Diego also will get minor league outfielder Darren Blakely.
Hitchcock, 30, has made only three starts this season in his comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery. He went 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 19 innings.
With Orlando Hernandez probably out until September and Roger Clemens fighting an injured groin, the Yankees were looking to solidify their starting rotation.
Manager Joe Torre currently is using two rookies -- left-handers Ted Lilly and Randy Keisler -- and has grown frustrated with Keisler's inconsistency.
The three-time defending World Series champion Yankees lead the AL East by 3 1/2 games over Boston and have the second-best record in the majors at 64-41.
Hitchcock was traded from the Yankees to Seattle after the 1995 season in the deal for Tino Martinez and Jeff Nelson. Hitchcock won 13 games in his only season with the Mariners before being sent to San Diego.
He has playoff experience, going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA for the Padres in 1998, winning the NLCS MVP that year.
Hitchcock is making $5 million in the final season of a $15.5 million, three-year contract and is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.
Jodie made one start for the Yankees this season, allowing six runs in two innings of a loss to Toronto. The right-hander, 24, was 10-4 with a 2.87 ERA at Triple-A Columbus.
The Yankees originally acquired Blakely in March in a trade for Anaheim.
