MLB trade rumors: Braves scout Yankees' Sonny Gray

by Felix Pantaleón

The Atlanta Braves had a scout in attendance to watch Yankees right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray against the Royals on Thursday.

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NEW YORK — The Yankees aren’t exactly rich in starting pitching depth, but if they wanted to deal Sonny Gray, there’s at least one team that might listen.

The Braves had a scout in the Bronx specifically to watch Gray on Thursday, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s personnel decisions. The source requested anonymity because he’s not authorized to speak publicly.

Does Boone think Yankees should add bat?

The trade deadline is 4 p.m.Tuesday.

For what it’s worth, Atlanta seemed to catch Gray on one of the better nights in his disappointing season.

Gray went five innings, giving up no runs and striking out five. Manager Aaron Boone pulled the righty after 75 pitches, in part because Gray took a comebacker off his pitching hand.

An X-ray on Gray’s thumb didn’t show any damage, the pitcher told reporters on Friday, and he expects to make his next scheduled start.

“Once I got the X-ray and it was fine, then there was no doubt that I was gonna pitch,” Gray had said. “Everything’s good. I’ll ready in five days. It’s a little sore, but nothing more than I expected.”

Gray has had a rough time in pinstripes though he’s looked better lately.

Over his last three starts, Gray had a 1.10 ERA. Opponents were hitting .155 against him. Those three opponents? Not exactly juggernauts — the Royals, Orioles and Mets.

Overall, Gray is 8-7 with a 5.08 ERA in 20 starts. He’s striking out 8.6 batters per nine innings but walking 3.9.

The Braves had also scouted Gray when he was with the A’s in 2017. But Oakland traded him to the Yankees for a trio of prospects. Gray wasn’t good in New York last year, either, going 4-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts after the deal.

Gray will be a free agent after next season. He’s making $6.5 million in 2018.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.