Yankees acquire All-Star OF Andrew Benintendi from Royals

Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi returns to the dugout after scoring against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 28, 2022, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP Photo)

The American League-leading New York Yankees bolstered their roster with the addition of All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals.

Three minor-league pitchers go to Kansas City in the deal.

The move comes with less than a week to go before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

Benintendi is slashing .320/.387/.398 with three home runs and 39 RBI for the Royals this season.

The Yankees are 11.5 games ahead of the second-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

Benintendi did not travel to Toronto for a series earlier this month because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19, though the Jays were reportedly interested in him nonetheless.

That vaccine status could loom large again if the Yankees and Blue Jays meet in the playoffs.

Benintendi becomes a free agent after this season.

The Royals acquired him in a trade with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2021 season.

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