Yankees add Hill, let Thornton go to Nationals

Hill pitched two games in the majors this year for the Los Angeles Angels and also was in the minors with Boston. (Elaine Thompson/AP).

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have shuffled left-handers in their bullpen, promoting Rich Hill from the minors and letting Matt Thornton go to the Washington Nationals in a waiver claim.

The moves came before the Yankees played Detroit on Tuesday night.

The 34-year-old Hill pitched four games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, striking out 10 in four innings without allowing a run.

Hill pitched two games in the majors this year for the Los Angeles Angels and also was in the minors with Boston. He is 24-22 with a 4.75 ERA during 10 seasons in the majors with the Cubs, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland and the Angels.

The 37-year-old Thornton was 0-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 46 games for the Yankees, pitching 24 2-3 innings.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi says Thornton did well as a lefty specialist. He said Hill could be used in similar situations, and also for multiple innings.

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