Yankees Trade Benitez to Mariners for Nelson

Only three weeks after getting him, the New York Yankees traded Armando Benitez to the Seattle Mariners for fellow reliever Jeff Nelson in a surprising swap Wednesday between division leaders.

“It is definitely unusual, but we were both interested in improving ourselves,” Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said. “Hopefully we did that.”

The deal came after the July 31 trade deadline, meaning both players were put on waivers. Each right-hander is eligible to become a free agent after the season.

Seattle and New York open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday night.

Benitez, a first-time All-Star this season, saved 21 games for the Mets before being shipped across town. He was 3-3 with a 3.10 earned-run average in 45 games and 49 1/3 innings before the Yankees got him. He pitched 9 1/3 innings for the Yankees, going 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA.

Nelson was 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA and seven saves in 46 games for the Mariners.

Nelson criticized the Mariners’ front office last week after the team failed to make a major deal at the trade deadline, but was told that wasn’t the reason he was dealt back to the team he helped win four World Series championships.

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The Kansas City Royals got Kevin Appier back only to lose Michael Tucker.

Appier signed a deal with his original team one week after being released by the Angels, and will start for the American League Central-leading Royals on Friday.

But the Royals were hit with yet another injury. After a 4-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, they announced Tucker will sit out six to eight weeks because of a broken right leg.

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Houston Astro second baseman Jeff Kent dropped his appeal of the two-game suspension he received for pushing Manager Jimy Williams into an umpire, the team announced. Kent sat out Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets and will sit out today’s game as well.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks put first baseman Mark Grace on the disabled list because a hyperextended right elbow and recalled utilityman Robby Hammock from triple-A Tucson.... The Atlanta Braves put right-hander Darren Holmes on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right shoulder.... The Detroit Tigers put catcher A.J. Hinch on the 15-day disabled list and recalled catcher Brandon Inge from triple-A Toledo.