NEW YORK -- The Yankees designated first baseman Chris Carter for assignment following Friday's 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Rangers and announced that they plan to recall first baseman/outfielder Christopher Austin from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Carter went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday's victory, lowering his batting average to .204 (34-for-167) and his OPS to .669.
Signed to a $3.5 million contract this spring, the 30-year-old collected four doubles, a triple, eight homers and 23 RBIs in 57 games, striking out 70 times against 18 walks.
Envisioned as an insurance policy behind Greg Bird, Carter had been receiving the majority of the Yanks' at-bats at first base while Bird recovered from a right ankle injury. Carter led the National League with 41 homers last season for the Brewers but also struck out 206 times.
Austin, 25, has found a hot streak at Triple-A, going 6-for-15 with three homers and 11 RBIs in the RailRiders' last four games. The Yanks' No. 14 prospect is batting .300/.366/.560 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 27 games at Triple-A after missing all of Spring Training with a left foot fracture.