Nationals Trade Pitcher A.J. Cole To Yankees For Cash

The Washington Nationals have traded right-handed reliever A.J. Cole to the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations, the team revealed Monday.

Yankees Acquire AJ Cole In Trade With Nationals

Earlier this week, the Nats designated Cole for assignment. He has faced a rough start to this season, having allowed 15 earned runs (including six homers) in 10.1 innings. His ERA stands at 13.06, and according to FanGraphs, he has given up 1.8 home runs per nine innings in his professional career.

SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!

Cole, 26, made his debut with the Nationals in 2015.

The Yankees (12-9) have struggled somewhat this season, and are third in the AL East, five games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. However, they routed the Minnesota Twins 14-1 on Monday in the opener of a three-game home series. The teams face off again at 6:35pm EST on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. CC Sabathia (0-0, 2.70 ERA) is set to start against Jose Berrios (2-1, 1.63 ERA).

Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson and Chad Green currently lead the Bombers’ bullpen.

SLIDESHOW: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes

Among the players who put on a great performance in New York’s win over Minnesota on Monday were Tyler Austin, Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton, the latter of whom was still booed by many fans up until recently for his lackluster performances. The Yankees have now won three consecutive games and six of their last eight.