Yankees Acquire Lawton in Trade

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Matt Lawton from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, then plugged him into the starting lineup against the Kansas City Royals.

In exchange for Lawton, the Yankees sent minor league pitcher Justin Berg to the Cubs. Berg, 21, was 6-1 with a 3.07 earned-run average at Class-A Staten Island.

Manager Joe Torre said the addition of the 33-year-old Lawton gave him more lineup options.

“He allows us to do some things we couldn’t do before,” Torre said. “We’ve been light on the bench.”

Lawton batted .268 with 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in over 120 games this season with Chicago and Pittsburgh.

To make room for Lawton, the Yankees optioned right-handed pitcher Scott Proctor to triple-A Columbus.

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Ben Sheets was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Milwaukee Brewers because of a torn back muscle and might sit out the rest of the season.

Sheets has a 10-9 record with a 3.33 ERA.

Brewer team physician William Raasch said the injury typically required four weeks to two months to heal.

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Rookie Zach Duke was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Pirates because of a sprained left ankle.

Pittsburgh purchased the contract of lefthander Paul Maholm, the Pirates’ first-round pick in the 2003 amateur draft, from triple-A Indianapolis.

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The San Francisco Giants traded outfielder Michael Tucker to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league right-hander Kelvin Pichardo.

San Francisco wants to evaluate its young players in the final month of the season. Manager Felipe Alou says he plans to use outfielders Todd Linden and Jason Ellison, who will be recalled from triple-A Fresno on Monday to take Tucker’s roster spot.

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Left-hander Matt White was optioned to triple-A New Orleans by Washington.... The Chicago Cubs purchased the contract of infielder Scott McClain from triple-A Iowa.... Florida recalled right-hander John Riedling from triple-A Albuquerque and optioned catcher Ryan Jorgensen to their top farm team.... Left-hander Erasmo Ramirez was recalled by the Texas Rangers, and left-hander Justin Thompson was optioned to triple-A Oklahoma.