Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Luis Rijo and first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn and cash considerations.
Rijo, 19, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Yankees in 2015 from Valencia, Venezuela. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander went 4-1, with a 2.77 ERA (39.0 IP, 12 ER), three walks and 32 strikeouts in seven games (5 starts) between High-A Tampa, Low-A Staten Island and Rookie-Level Pulaski this season. In three seasons in the Yankees minor league system, he went 9-6 with a 2.80 ERA (125.1 IP, 39 ER), 14 walks and 117 strikeouts in 27 games (18 starts).
Austin, 26, was drafted by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia. Austin, who made New York’s Opening Day roster, appeared in 34 games earlier this season, hitting .223 (27-for-121) with six doubles, eight home runs and 23 RBI. He most recently has been playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .247 (24-for-97) with nine doubles, five home runs, 11 RBI and a .311 on-base percentage in 25 games. The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Austin has played parts of the last three seasons with the Yankees, hitting .230 (56-for-244) with 11 doubles, 15 home runs and 43 RBI in 85 games.
Lance Lynn was signed as a free agent on March 12. He made 20 starts for the Twins, going 7-8, 5.10 ERA (102.1 IP, 58 ER), with 62 walks, 100 strikeouts, 105 hits allowed and 12 home runs.