Astros acquire Clippard from White Sox

The Houston Astros made an addition to their bullpen for the stretch drive Sunday night, acquiring right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard from the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Clippard pre-emptively broke news of the trade himself. About 30 minutes before the deal was made official by the teams, it was discovered that the 32-year-old had surreptitiously changed his Twitter and Instagram bios to read that he played for the Astros rather than the White Sox.

Clippard started this season with the New York Yankees, before he was dealt to the White Sox on July 19 as part of the package for Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, and David Robertson. While he struggled during the early part of 2017 with the Yankees, Clippard found his groove again on the South Side. Over 11 games for the White Sox, he owns a 1.80 ERA, 246 ERA+, two saves, and 12 strikeouts, while also not allowing a home run.

Although Clippard told MLB.com's Scott Merkin on Friday that he was enjoying his time with the White Sox and hoped to remain with the club the rest of the season, he acknowledged that he was prepared to be on the move again given the team's current rebuilding state. Clippard has now changed uniforms via either trade or free agency six times since January 2015.

"Yeah, I'm ready for anything at this point," he told Merkin. "My existence as a baseball player over the last three years has been so chaotic, that whatever happens, happens."

The Astros - owners of the American League's best record - weren't all that active ahead of the non-waiver deadline, only acquiring left-hander Francisco Liriano from Toronto. Their lack of movement in July upset some in the clubhouse; southpaw Dallas Keuchel called it "disappointing," while outfielder Josh Reddick said it left the team "down in the dumps."

Houston reportedly had a deal in place to acquire All-Star closer Zach Britton ahead of the deadline, however it was reportedly scuttled by the Orioles at the last minute.