Report: Yankees have checked in with Padres about pitching trio

The All-Star break is officially here, but that doesn't mean front offices are going to sleep. Especially the New York Yankees, who finished the first half 4 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

The Yankees have checked in with the San Diego Padres about three of their more productive pitchers. Starter Tyson Ross, reliever Kirby Yates, and closer Brad Hand are on their radar, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

New York is familiar with Yates, who pitched with the Yankees in 2016 and is in the midst of a career year (3-0, 1.47 ERA, 11.5 SO/9), while their interest in Hand was reported earlier this month. This is the first time, however, they've appeared keen on the veteran right-hander Ross.

The 31-year-old Ross has started 19 games for San Diego, his most since 2015, and has already logged 108 1/3 innings and an 8.1 strikeout-per-nine rate. He shouldn't cost the Yankees much in prospect capital or finances either due to his $1.75-million contract.

Hand, meanwhile, is a two-time All-Star whose 3.05 ERA is his highest since 2015 when he was with the Miami Marlins. He's a workhorse (195 appearances in three seasons with San Diego) who strikes out a lot of hitters (13.2 per nine this season).

The Yankees have made it known they're looking for pitching, most notably starters, heading into the trade deadline with Jordan Montgomery out for the year and Sonny Gray struggling.