Hinske trade struck

Not one to complain, David Ortiz yesterday afternoon put words to a sentiment widely held in the Red Sox clubhouse.

``We need help," he said. ``It's getting late."

Perhaps Ortiz already had an inkling of what was coming, because last night the Sox struck a waiver deal with the Toronto Blue Jays for Eric Hinske, who fits the profile of the type of player Boston was seeking: a lefthanded hitter who can play both corner infield positions as well as the outfield. The move comes right before this weekend's five-game series against the Yankees, a team against which he has fared well this season, batting .368 (7 for 19) with two home runs and five RBIs.

The deal, because it involves an outlay of more than $1 million, still requires approval from Major League Baseball. The Sox are expected to send a low-to-mid-level prospect to the Blue Jays.

Hinske, the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2002, when he hit 24 home runs and knocked in 84 runs while batting .279, signed a five-year deal worth $14.75 million the following year but had devolved into a platoon player.

The Blue Jays, looking to get out from under his contract, agreed to pay $2.8125 million, half of the salary due him next year. The Sox apparently agreed to pay the roughly $1.4 million still owed Hinske for this season.

Hinske is expected to start a couple of times a week, in place of Kevin Youkilis or Mike Lowell, and also becomes the team's primary lefthanded pinch hitter off the bench.

Hinske was pulled from the Blue Jays' starting lineup last night minutes before their game in St. Petersburg, Fla., but told Toronto reporters after the game he was just awaiting word on his fate.

Hinske, 29, began the season as part of a right-field platoon with Alex Rios and hit .323 (10 for 31) in April, though none of his hits went for extra bases. With Rios emerging as a star, Hinske gradually lost playing time. He has appeared in just nine games this month, going 4 for 24 (.167). Overall, he brings a .264 average with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs.

His appeal to the Sox comes in his at-bats against righthanded pitchers. He has a .376 on-base percentage and .575 slugging percentage against righthanders, which suggests there will be games when Sox manager Terry Francona uses him to hit late for shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

The Sox had no official comment on the deal, but there was rampant speculation among players that Hinske was headed here. The team has had a lopsided roster of late, employing 13 pitchers, leaving Francona with just three players on his bench -- a backup catcher, backup infielder Alex Cora, and backup outfielder Gabe Kapler.

Nick Cafardo of the Globe staff contributed to this report.