The Yankees traded veteran catcher Brian McCann and $11 million to the Astros on Thursday for a pair of minor league pitchers.

Houston sent righthanders Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman to the Yankees.

Also, according to multiple reports, the Astros and free agent outfielder Josh Reddick agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract. The former Red Sox, who turns 30 in February, split last season with the Athletics and Dodgers, hitting a combined .281 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs in 115 games.

McCann is a seven-time All-Star, but his playing time diminished in the second half of the season as rookie Gary Sanchez emerged as a power hitter behind the plate. Sanchez hit 20 home runs in just 53 games.

McCann hit .242 with 20 homers and 58 RBIs this year.

This was McCann’s third season in New York after signing an $85 million, five-year deal as a free agent. McCann, 32, is due $17 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Yankees will pay $5.5 million both years.

‘‘We entered the offseason with the acquisition of a catcher as a primary focus,’’ Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a statement.

‘‘Brian McCann is a great fit for the Astros as he is not only a good defensive catcher, he is also a left-handed hitter with proven run-producing ability. His experience and his ability to impact his teammates will be a significant benefit to our team.’’

The Yankees had a $15 million option for 2019 with no buyout. The option became McCann’s if he had at least 1,000 plate appearances combined in 2017 and 2018, had at least 90 starts at catcher in 2018 and didn’t end up the 2018 season on the disabled list.

Jason Castro made the most starts at catcher for the Astros last year, batting .210 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs.

McCann has 245 career homers with 888 RBIs while batting .266.

The 21-year-old Abreu was a combined 3-8 with a 3.72 ERA for two teams in Single A. The 20-year-old Guzman was a combined 3-4 with a 4.05 ERA with two rookie-level teams.

Porcello: No WBC for me

Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello said Thursday he will stay with the Red Sox in spring training instead of playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. Porcello said on WEEI that his preference was to prepare for the season as he normally does. “My loyalty is first and foremost to the Boston Red Sox,’’ he said . . . Red Sox infielder Deven Marrero had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Sox said he should be recovered in time for spring training . . . The Red Sox and other major league teams have until Friday to set their 40-man rosters in advance of the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8. The Sox have two openings on their roster. Lefthander Luis Ysla and righthander Kyle Martin, both relievers, are candidates to be added.

PETER ABRAHAM

Gardenhire joins Arizona

The Diamondbacks named former Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire as their bench coach, giving new manager Torey Lovullo an extremely experienced right-hand man. Gardenhire, 59, managed the Twins for 13 seasons, ending in 2014 . . . Lew Wolff is selling all but a small stake in the Athletics and giving up his managing partner role, turning over leadership of the franchise to John Fisher as the club seeks a new ballpark location. Wolff will become chairman emeritus and Fisher the managing partner. In addition, team president Michael Crowley is stepping away from day-to-day operations after nearly 20 years in the role but will advise the A’s ownership group. San Jose Earthquakes president Dave Kaval will fill Crowley’s position while also keeping his same position with the MLS team.

The Braves officially signed 43-year-old Bartolo Colon to a one-year, $12.5 million contract. The deal was reported last week but didn’t become official until Colon passed his physical.