Yankees surprisingly trade struggling relief pitcher to Astros at deadline

The New York Yankees traded left-handed relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson to the Houston Astros on Tuesday ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

Ferguson has struggled to find his groove in the Yankees bullpen with a 5.13 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 33.1 innings.

It's a somewhat surprising move that a team wanted to trade for Ferguson at the deadline.

The Yankees will receive a minor-leaguer and international pool money in return, according to Jack Curry of YES Network .

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Ferguson, 28, was acquired by the Yankees via trade this offseason. They sent 19-year-old right-hander Christian Zazueta and veteran left-hander Matt Gage to the Los Angeles Dodgers in February.

Though the Yankees have gotten some quality innings out of submariner Tim Hill (3.18 ERA in 17 innings), there will be a need to replace Ferguson likely with another power lefty arm.

Either way, Ferguson's struggles this season may benefit the Yankees in an addition-by-subtraction sort of way.