NEW YORK -- As unenviable as it may be to have to replace Alex Rodriguez, it appears that Tyler Austin is going to be the man to do it.
According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Yankees are planning to call up Austin, a 24-year-old outfielder and first baseman, from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Austin has been superb in Triple-A this season, batting .323 with 13 home runs and an OPS of 1.051.
Austin has played 57 games at Triple-A this season after playing 50 with Double-A Trenton. Though he wasn't quite as dominant in Double-A, Austin's cumulative numbers this season still leave him with a .294 batting average with a slugging percentage of .524.
One of the major pluses of bringing in Austin is his positional versatility, especially with utility man Rob Refsnyder back in Scranton. Austin has played first base, both corner outfield positions and third base this season in the Minors.
Austin's spot on the 25-man roster was made available because of the Yankees' release of Rodriguez, their designated hitter.