Yankees acquire OF/1B Steve Pearce

The New York Yankees today announced they have acquired outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce from the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations.

Pearce, 29, was previously with the Yankees organization from March 29–June 2 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he hit .318 (61-for-192) with 11 home runs and 30 RBI and led the International League in average and hits at the time he was traded to the Orioles on June 2.

He opened season with the Minnesota Twins as a non-roster invitee before being released on March 27 and signing a minor league deal with the Yankees organization. He appeared in 28 games with the Orioles, reaching safely in 18 of 26 games with a plate appearance, and batting .254 (18-for-71) with four doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI before he was designated for assignment on July 21 and claimed off waivers by Houston on July 28.  With the Astros, he batted .254 (16-for-63) with 8 RBI and five of his 16 hits going for extra bases (four doubles, one triple).

Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Pearce has spent parts of each of the last six seasons in the Majors with the Pirates (2007-11), Baltimore Orioles (2012) and Houston Astros (2012). He owns a .237 (142-for-599) career average with 60 runs, 37 doubles, 12 home runs and 74 RBI in 234 career games, appearing in games at first base, third base, and both corner outfield positions.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees have designated INF Brandon Laird for assignment.  A corresponding 25-man roster move will be made when Pearce reports to the Yankees.