Reds Trade Tim Leary to the Yankees

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees, whose 4.50 earned-run average was the second-worst in baseball last season behind Detroit, acquired former Dodger right-hander Tim Leary from the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers Tuesday.

The Yankees sent outfielder Hal Morris and right-hander Rodney Imes to the Reds for Leary and minor-league outfielder Van Snider.

Leary, 8-14 in 1989 with a 3.52 ERA, will join Andy Hawkins and Pascual Perez in the Yankee rotation.

Leary, 31, is 45-56 lifetime. He was 17-11 with a 2.91 ERA in 1988 but was 6-7 last July 18 when the Dodgers traded him to Cincinnati along with Mariano Duncan for Kal Daniels and Lenny Harris. Leary was 2-7 in 14 starts for the Reds with a 3.71 ERA.

“It gets real defeating when you come out of a game losing 2-1 and the chances are 90% you’re going to get a loss,” Leary said.