SEATTLE - Just 21/2 weeks after getting him, the Yankees traded Armando Benitez to the 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," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Hopefully we did that."
The deal came after the July 31 trade deadline, meaning both players were placed 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.
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.
Nelson, a 36-year-old slider specialist, was working out in the weight room in Cleveland when a clubhouse worker came in and told him manager Bob Melvin wanted to see him.
"When I got there they told me there had been a trade," Nelson said. "Right away, I wondered where?
"When they told me New York, I was very surprised. The big surprise is that they would deal with a rival team."
Benitez also was caught off-guard.
"I was a little surprised, but I'm all right," Benitez said. "I'm not upset. I understand the situation. I like it here, but if you have to go someplace, what can you do?"
The Yankees acquired the hard-throwing Benitez, 30, in a trade with the Mets on July 16, but he didn't last long in the Bronx. Now, Nelson will help set up closer Mariano Rivera.
"We weren't looking to move Benitez, but when Nelson's name showed up, it seemed to fit with what we're doing," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
ASTROS: Second baseman Jeff Kent has dropped his appeal of the two-game suspension he received for pushing manager Jimy Williams into an umpire.
Also, ex-Rays reliever Rick White signed less than a week after being let go by the White Sox. He was 1-2 with one save and a 6.61 ERA in 34 games.
BRAVES: Right-hander Darren Holmes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. To fill Holmes' spot, the contract of right-hander Will Cunnane was purchased from Triple-A Richmond.
D'BACKS: First baseman Mark Grace, 39, was placed on the disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow and utilityman Robby Hammock was recalled from Triple-A Tucson.
REDS: Pitcher Jose Acevedo sprained his left ankle falling down the dugout steps in the third inning and left his start against the Dodgers.
ROYALS: After initially being put on the 15-day DL, outfielder Michael Tucker will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken right leg.
ATTACKER SENTENCED: The man who, along with his son, attacked the Royals' Tom Gamboa during a game was sentenced to probation, drawing criticism from the coach.
"To me, probation is nothing," Gamboa said.
Cook County Judge Leo Holt sentenced William Ligue Jr. to 30 months probation after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated battery. Ligue must perform community service, attend parenting classes, remain in a substance abuse program and abide by a curfew for 90 days.
SOSA BALL AUCTION: The college student who caught the baseball Sammy Sosa hit for his 500th home run is putting it up for auction.
MastroNet of Chicago will take bids on the ball starting Monday. The auction house has set a minimum bid of $20,000, but expects the ball to go for many times that amount.
