FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2018, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Andrew McCutchen hits a three-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal and home plate umpire Stu Scheurwater watch during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles. The playoff-contending New York Yankees are close to completing a trade for San Francisco Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night, Aug. 30, 2018, the Yankees would send infielder Abiatal Avelino and another minor leaguer to San Francisco for McCutchen. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't finalized. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2018, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Andrew McCutchen hits a three-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal and home plate umpire Stu Scheurwater watch during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles. The playoff-contending New York Yankees are close to completing a trade for San Francisco Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night, Aug. 30, 2018, the Yankees would send infielder Abiatal Avelino and another minor leaguer to San Francisco for McCutchen. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't finalized. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) Credit: Mark J. Terrill

Andrew McCutchen is shaving his beard for a possible World Series run. Ryan Madson is switching bullpens, trying to help another team win a title.

And Gio Gonzalez? He’s moving across the diamond at Nationals Park.

A bunch of contenders got busy on Friday, making trades to bolster potential playoff rosters. A player must be on a club by Aug. 31 to be eligible for the postseason.

Relievers are always in demand, and the Milwaukee Brewers fortified themselves by acquiring veteran left-hander Xavier Cedeno from the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers.

The Brewers also acquired Gonzalez from Washington to boost their rotation. Milwaukee was playing at Washington, so a trade would mean simply swapping dugouts.

“I think what happens in September is that the whole calculus of this thing changes,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said.

Clubs can start calling up reinforcements from the minors today. But it’s who they added before September that could really count in October.

McCutchen, one of several players to pass through waivers after the July 31 trade deadline, was sent from San Francisco to the New York Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers.

The 2013 NL MVP was hitting .255 with 15 home runs, 55 RBIs and 13 stolen bases for the Giants. McCutchen will take over in right field — that was slugger Aaron Judge’s spot in the Bronx, but he hasn’t swung a bat since a fastball broke his wrist five weeks ago.

The 31-year-old McCutchen was expected to be in the lineup Saturday at Yankee Stadium to face Detroit. Before he plays, though, he must adhere to the Yankees’ strict rule on facial hair, and that meant shaving the beard he’s sported for almost his whole career.

“Just gonna take me a sec to get used to my freshly shaved face,” he posted on Twitter.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, having seen closer Kenley Jansen wobble since coming off the disabled list, got Madson from the Nationals for a minor league pitcher.

Madson was 5-5 with five saves and a 4.08 ERA in 69 games for Washington. The 38-year-old recently came off the disabled list after being sidelined by nerve irritation that caused pain in his neck and back.

Madson helped Philadelphia win the World Series in 2008 and Kansas City do the same in 2015.

The Oakland Athletics, who finished last in the AL West the past three years, tried to improve their playoff chances by getting right-handed reliever Cory Gearrin from Texas Rangers for a pair of minor league pitchers.

Gearrin was a combined 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA and one save in 56 appearances for the Rangers and San Francisco.

In another deal, the Colorado Rockies got backup catcher Drew Butera from Kansas City for a minor league lefty.

Indians Add Donaldson

Cleveland — Just prior to the deadline to add a player for the postseason, the Indians dropped a bombshell.

As they battled the Tampa Bay Rays late Friday night, Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reported that the Indians had landed Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson. Further details of the trade have not been confirmed or reported.

Donaldson, who was the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player when he belted 41 homers and drove in 123 runs, is hitting .234 with a .757 OPS in 137 at-bats. Donaldson is also a three-time All-Star. He finished the past three years with an OPS of at least .939, establishing himself as one of the superstars of the game.

This aggressive deal would indicate that MVP candidate Jose Ramirez will likely move to second base and Jason Kipnis will head to the outfield, as he did near the end of last season and into the American League Division Series.

If Donaldson provides anywhere close to his 2014-17 levels, he adds a lethal hitter to an already strong top half of the lineup for the Indians.

He has been dealing with a calf injury lately and his health is somewhat of a question.

Donaldson avoided arbitration with a one-year, $23 million deal. He’s eligible for free agency after this season.