NEW YORK -- In yet another move to combat their injuries, the Yankees acquired infielder-outfielder Craig Wilson from Pittsburgh yesterday for former All-Star pitcher Shawn Chacon.

Wilson was hitting .267 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI, making 40 starts at first base and 23 in right field for the Pirates.

New York, which acquired right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from Philadelphia on Sunday, has been trying to overcome injuries to right fielder Gary Sheffield and left fielder Hideki Matsui.

"I think we're better equipped to run the rat race here in the final two months, but the competition is so fierce," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Obviously, all of us try to put ourselves and our teams in a position to separate ourselves from the pack, but I'm not sure anybody did that."

Just before Cashman spoke on a conference call, Lidle criticized the Phillies, who trail the Mets by 14 games in the N.L. East but are 5 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the wild-card race.

"I'm the kind of player that goes to the field every day expecting to win, and unfortunately over the last few years I haven't had a clubhouse that expected to win with me. So we'd go to the field on the days I'm pitching, it's almost a coin flip as to know if the guys behind me are going to be there to play 100 percent."

With the Yankees, he joins a team expected to win every game by its fans -- and owner.

A big hitter in 2004, the 29-year-old Wilson missed most of the 2005 season because of an injured hand. He also has provided power off the bench, hitting a team-record 12 pinch-hit home runs in his career.

His arrival could cause manager Joe Torre to reduce Andy Phillips' playing time.

"He just provides Joe some flexibility, and there's a lot of value there," Cashman said.

Cashman isn't expecting Sheffield or Matsui back from wrist surgery until September.

"When and if they're ready, clearly we'll find places for guys like that," he said.

Abreu's arrival could lead to the departure of Sheffield after this season. Abreu is due $15 million next year, while the Yankees hold a $13-million option on Sheffield.

Cashman isn't worried about where to fit everyone when the pair come back.

"I just think that those type discussions will come when we know he's ready to go," he said. "But right now there's no guarantee. I just don't know when him and Hideki will be here, and so I think we just lined up some choices, insurance policies, whatever you want to call it."