Yankees Sign First Baseman Lyle Overbay To Minor League Deal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Yankees signed first baseman Lyle Overbay to a minor league contract on Tuesday. He was released hours earlier by the American League East-rival Red Sox.
With Mark Teixeira out until at least mid-May, Overbay will have an opportunity to make the club and fill in at first base. Juan Rivera and Dan Johnson will also be considered in Teixeira's absence. Kevin Youkilis can play the position, but he's expected to start at third base with Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list.
Overbay played a combined 65 games for the Braves and Diamondbacks in 2012. The 36-year-old batted .259 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
A 12-year veteran, Overbay has hit double-digit home runs seven times, and hit 20 dingers for the Blue Jays as recently as 2010.
Since entering the league in 2001, the left-handed hitter has a career batting average of .270 with 133 homers, 581 RBIs and a .353 on-base percentage.
Also on Tuesday, the Yankees finalized their trade for left fielder Vernon Wells, sending minor leaguers Exicardo Cayones and Kramer Sneed to the Angels. According to WFAN's Sweeny Murti, New York released infielder David Adams to make room for Wells on the 40-man roster.
The club also confirmed that Derek Jeter will began the season on the DL.
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