Yankees reportedly set to acquire Lance Berkman

The New York Yankees are working on a trade to acquire Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros and expect the deal to be completed Saturday.

New York will send a couple of prospects to the Astros, a baseball executive familiar with the discussions said. The executive spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were continuing.

“Nothing’s been completed,� Berkman said Friday in Houston, before the Astros played Milwaukee.

A five-time All-Star, Berkman has full no-trade rights and his approval is necessary for a trade. He was not in the starting lineup against the Brewers.

The 34-year-old Berkman began Friday hitting .245 with 13 homers and 49 runs batted in. He has 60 walks and 70 strikeouts in 298 at-bats.

The Yankees acquired outfielder Austin Kearns from the Cleveland Indians on Friday.

The Yankees will give the Indians a player to be named later or cash, on or before Aug. 20.

White Sox trade for Edwin Jackson

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded away an All-Star pitcher for the second time in a week, sending right-hander Edwin Jackson to the Chicago White Sox for rookie Daniel Hudson and prospect David Holmberg.

Arizona shipped three-time All-Star Dan Haren to the Angels for left-hander Joe Saunders and three other players on Sunday. The last-place Diamondbacks continued their rebuilding project by moving Jackson, an All-Star in 2009 who tossed the second no-hitter in franchise history June 25 against Tampa Bay.

Arizona’s purge gives Chicago a solid addition to its rotation, which is missing injured right-hander Jake Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner. The White Sox began the day with a 1 1/2 -game lead in the AL Central over Minnesota.

Etc.

New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay was put on the disabled list because of a mild concussion.

Bay was injured on July 23 when he crashed into an outfield wall while making a catch against the Dodgers. Outfielder Jesus Feliciano was promoted to replace Bay.

Washington Nationals infielder Cristian Guzman was traded to the Texas Rangers. He’ll probably fill in at second base with Ian Kinsler (groin) on the DL. Guzman is in the final year of a two-year, $16-million deal.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Jonny Venters had had his four-game suspension rescinded by Major League Baseball. The fine handed down along with the suspension was reduced.

Billy Loes, who pitched on three pennant-winning Brooklyn Dodgers teams in the 1950s and was an AL All-Star in 1957, has died. He was 80.

Loes died July 15 at a hospice in Tucson. He had diabetes for several years and had open- heart surgery a few years ago.