It’s only the middle of July, but the Yankees are already planning for the stretch run — and perhaps the postseason — by acquiring Terrance Gore from Kansas City on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Gore was picked up for cash considerations and is headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Gore isn’t on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, but he will likely play a role when rosters can expand in September and could be used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
And depending on how the Yankees decide to construct a potential playoff roster, Gore might be a factor in October. He appeared in the playoffs for the Royals in 2014 and 2015 and the Cubs last season.
He’s already played in a career-high 37 games this year for Kansas City with 13 stolen bases in 18 attempts. Over the course of his career, Gore has 40 stolen bases and only been caught nine times — although his success rate has dropped this season.
Aaron Boone called it an addition that would improve the team’s depth.
“He’s a guy with a lot of speed and can play a certain role for you down the stretch,’’ the manager said before Wednesday’s game in The Bronx with the Rays was postponed by the threat of rain.
Boone also noted that the arrival of Gore could be a prelude to similar transactions that could be struck earlier this season than in years past, since no trades can be made after the July 31 deadline — unlike in previous seasons, when teams were allowed to make waiver trades until August 31.
“I think one of the things you’ll probably see with this trade deadline with no August [moves], there will be a lot of big and small deals where teams try to create depth,’’ Boone said. “That’s where that plays.”