Yankees outright Noel to Triple-A

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Thursday that they have outrighted speedster Rico Noel to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, clearing a space on the club's 40-man roster.

Noel, 26, was called up in September to serve as a pinch-runner, and he appeared in 15 games, scoring five runs and stealing five bases in seven attempts.

He logged two at-bats, including his first Major League hit on Oct. 3, a pinch-hit single off the Orioles' Oliver Drake. Noel's five stolen bases tied Didi Gregorius for third on the club this season, behind Jacoby Ellsbury (21) and Brett Gardner (20).

The Yankees' 40-man roster currently stands at 39 players, including three upcoming free agents: left-hander Chris Capuano, infielder Stephen Drew and outfielder Chris Young. New York also has six players on the 60-day disabled list.