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Joe Girardi Likes 'Versatility' Dustin Ackley Brings To The Yankees

ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSNewYork/AP) — Manager Joe Girardi has some more versatility on the Yankees bench after New York acquired Dustin Ackley from Seattle on Thursday.

Ackley has appeared at five positions during his 584 major league games since 2011, all with the Mariners.

"He's a guy that we feel we could move everywhere," Girardi said.

New York sent right-hander Jose Ramirez and outfielder Ramon Flores to the Mariners in the deal completed a day before the non-waiver trade deadline. To make room for Ackley on the roster, the Yankees designated for assignment first baseman Garrett Jones on Friday.

In other news, the Yankees placed right-hander Michael Pineda, the scheduled starter for Thursday's series finale at Texas, on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor forearm muscle strain. Pineda was replaced by CC Sabathia, who gave up five runs in five innings in New York's loss.

Ackley is hitting .215 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 85 games this season. The second overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft, Ackley is a .243 career hitter who has played second base, first base and all three outfield spots.

The trade caught Ackley by surprise.

"It's crazy. I guess you never know when this kind of thing is going to happen," Ackley told Seattle-based reporters in the Mariners clubhouse before their game in Minnesota. "You see this all the time with guys. Things happen. I'm excited for what the future has to hold and it'll be fun."

Girardi said Ackley was scheduled to join the Yankees in Chicago on Friday for the start of their weekend series against the White Sox.

"Just his versatility," Girardi responded when asked what Ackley brings that the Yankees didn't already have. "Especially as we move forward here, and you're trying to spell guys, his versatility should help in that situation. Five different spots, that's pretty good."

Ramirez and Flores were both at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will report to Triple-A Tacoma.

Seattle recalled first baseman Jesus Montero from Tacoma.

Flores had three stints with the Yankees this season, hitting .219 in his first 12 major league games. Ramirez allowed five earned runs over three innings in three relief appearances.

Pineda (9-7, 3.97 ERA), whose DL move was retroactive to July 25, missed all of 2012 and '13 following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder and was sidelined from April 23 to Aug. 13 last year with a right shoulder muscle injury.

Sabathia (4-8, 5.38) had been scheduled to start Friday's game at the White Sox. Even after moving up a day, Sabathia was pitching on normal four days' rest after his previous start at Minnesota.

New York recalled right-handers Bryan Mitchell and Nick Goody from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and optioned right-hander Caleb Cotham to the Triple-A team.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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