Morgan traded by Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates, swapping outfielders at a rapid rate for the second successive season, sent starting left fielder Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals in a four-player deal involving outfielder Lastings Milledge on Tuesday, while backup Eric Hinske was shipped to the Yankees.

The Pirates, spurred to trade because their farm system has been unproductive, acquired Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan from the Nationals for the fleet Morgan and left-handed reliever Sean Burnett, a former first-round draft pick.

Hinske, the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year, went to the Yankees for minor league right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer.

The Yankees also get about $400,000 to help pay the remainder of Hinske’s $1.5 million salary.

Just as they did last season by dealing Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, the Pirates traded two of their starting outfielders before Aug. 1. They sent center fielder Nate McLouth to Atlanta on June 4 for pitcher Charlie Morton and two other prospects.

All-Star voting

Boston’s Kevin Youkilis moved back in front of the Yankees’ Mark Teixeira at first base with two days left in AL All-Star balloting. Youkilis had 1,915,303 votes to Teixeira’s 1,875,256. Last week, Teixeira was up by 35,632.

Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler’s lead over Boston’s Dustin Pedroia was cut to 6,830, down from 58,390 in totals released last week.

Maintaining their leads were Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and outfielders Jason Bay of Boston, Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle and Josh Hamilton of Texas.

Etc.

The Mariners put third baseman Adrian Beltre on the 15-day disabled list after shoulder surgery and added newly acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans, a former Brave… . The Astros activated left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton, who had been out with a groin injury… . Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore will likely have postseason surgery on his left elbow… . Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hip… . Phillies left-hander Antonio Bastardo went on the DL with a strained shoulder.