New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is aiming to be busy ahead of the MLB trade deadline but tried to temper expectations in terms of what might happen.

NEW YORK — Both Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone called the move to designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment on Wednesday a “tough” decision. LeMahieu had been in pinstripes since 2019, a well-respected and hard-working figure in the Yankees’ clubhouse.

The New York Yankees bullpen needs some reinforcements. With Mark Leiter Jr. on the injured list, the Yankees could target a dominant replacement at the trade deadline.

During a fan Q&A this week, The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty was asked which prospects the Yankees might hold onto versus dangle in a deal. The fan mentioned four names in particular — George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, Cam Schlittler, and Everson Pereira — and hoped they wouldn’t be on the move.

With the MLB trade deadline just weeks away, the New York Yankees’ lengthy search for a much-needed, yet elusive, third baseman should be coming to a close.

Everson Pereira was scratched with general sickness and Bryan De La Cruz with an oblique issue on Tuesday night, and both remained out of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup on Wednesday afternoon.

One player who could draw some interest is Lane Thomas, and Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reported that one team "said to be interested in" Thomas is the New York Yankees. Thomas' season numbers aren't all that great. He owns a slash line of .160/.246/.272 with an OPS of .518 in 39 games this season.