Baseball notebook

Yankees acquire Kearns

Astros’ Berkman NY-bound today

Associated Press / July 31, 2010

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Lance Berkman is headed to the Yankees, who plan to complete a deal to acquire the former All-Star from the Astros today, a day after the World Series champions obtained outfielder Austin Kearns from the Indians.

New York will send a couple of prospects to the Astros, likely to be reliever Mark Melancon and infielder Jimmy Paredes, and Houston will pay part of what Berkman is owed, a baseball executive familiar with the discussions said last night. The executive spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced, although the New York Post reported on its website last night the deal was done.

Berkman didn’t play last night against Milwaukee, and his teammates said their goodbyes. “I’m from Texas. Heck, I played at Rice. This city is like the womb. I feel very comfortable here. To think about the possibility of going anywhere else is kind of scary,’’ Berkman said.

Kearns, acquired for a player to be named or cash, is hitting .272 with eight homers and 42 RBIs. Berkman, expected to fill the DH role for the Yankees, is hitting .245 with 13 homers and 49 RBIs.

Arizona deals Jackson

The Diamondbacks traded an All-Star pitcher for the second time in a week, sending righthander Edwin Jackson to the White Sox for rookie Daniel Hudson and prospect David Holmberg. Arizona shipped three-time All-Star Dan Haren to the Angels for lefthander Joe Saunders and three other players last week.

Jackson, 27, an All-Star in 2009, tossed the second no-hitter in franchise history June 25 against Tampa Bay. He is 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA this year.

Guzman Texas-bound

Infielder Cristian Guzman is heading to the first-place Rangers from the last-place Nationals in a deal that sends two minor league pitchers to Washington. The deal will be made official today.

The Rangers have been busy ahead of today’s trade deadline, adding ace Cliff Lee from Seattle, third baseman Jorge Cantu from Florida, and catcher Bengie Molina from San Francisco. The Guzman deal comes a day after Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.

Off the field, a bankruptcy judge ejected a last-minute higher bid on the Rangers from MLB’s preferred buyer, a deal that would have canceled next week’s auction.

Zambrano returns

The Cubs activated Carlos Zambrano from the restricted list and the righthander is ready to pitch after making amends with his teammates.

“It feels good to be back,’’ he said. “I had to come in and apologize to the team.’’

Zambrano was suspended June 26, a day after he got into a verbal altercation with teammate Derrick Lee in the dugout after Zambrano was pulled from his start. He was placed on the restricted list June 29.

Bay placed on DL

Mets outfielder Jason Bay was placed on the DL with a concussion. Bay was injured July 23 when he crashed into an outfield wall while making a catch against the Dodgers. He experienced headaches and was diagnosed with a concussion July 27 . . . The Indians placed righthander Mitch Talbot on the 15-day DL with a lower back strain and optioned righthander Jess Todd to Triple A Columbus . . . The Athletics activated starter Brett Anderson and placed closer Andrew Bailey on the 15-day DL with a strained right ribcage muscle . . . Matthew Clemmens, 21, who intentionally vomited on a spectator and his 11-year-old daughter at a Phillies game, was sentenced in Philadelphia to up to three months in jail and community service, which the judge suggested be fulfilled by cleaning ballpark toilets and trash.