Blue Jays Trade Hinske to Red Sox

The Toronto Blue Jays traded former American League rookie of the year Eric Hinske and about $2.8 million to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday for a player to be named.

Hinske, an outfielder who also can play first and third base, is hitting .264 with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. Boston is assuming the $1.06 million remaining from his $4.3-million salary this season. Hinske is due $5.6 million next year, and Toronto agreed to pay Boston $2.8 million by July 15.

“We’d been looking for a left-handed bat,” Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein said. “When we were able to get the salary for 2007 at least subsidized, we thought it was a good fit.”

Epstein said he felt no pressure to make a move just because AL East rival New York brought in Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle.

“Our manager, coaching staff and players know that we always have and always will do everything we can to put this franchise in the best possible position to succeed,” Epstein said.

*

Lidle was put on the bereavement list after the death of his grandmother. The assignment is for a minimum of three days and maximum of five. To replace him, the Yankees purchased the contract of pitcher Brian Bruney from their Columbus affiliate.

*

Washington put left-handed reliever Micah Bowie on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained back.... Vance Wilson and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a $1.9-million, two-year extension that keeps the backup catcher with them through the 2008 season.