Jesse Orosco is returning to New York and a pennant race.

The New York Yankees acquired the 46-year-old left-hander in a trade with San Diego Tuesday night for a player to be named.

“I don’t know how much longer I’ll be doing this,” Orosco said. “To have a chance to win another ring, it’s too much to pass up.”

The AL East-leading Yankees, who got setup man Armando Benitez in a deal with the New York Mets last week, were looking for a second left-hander to join Chris Hammond in the bullpen.

They found their man in the oldest player in the majors, a pitcher who was a key member of the 1986 Mets.

Orosco wasn’t the only veteran changing teams. The Chicago Cubs got a boost for the NL Central stretch drive, acquiring center fielder Kenny Lofton and third baseman Aramis Ramirez from Pittsburgh for infielder Jose Hernandez and two prospects.

The trade reunites Lofton with Dusty Baker, his manager in San Francisco last season. The Cubs will be his seventh major-league team.

Chicago has sought a center fielder since Corey Patterson was lost for the season because of a torn knee ligament earlier this month.

In another move, Boston made its third addition in two months to its bullpen, acquiring left-hander Scott Sauerbeck from Pittsburgh.

In the four-player trade, the Red Sox gave up right-handed reliever Brandon Lyon and Double-A right-hander Anastacio Martinez and obtained Triple-A lefty Mike Gonzalez.