Yankees Breaking News: Carter released, Austin called up

The Yankees have made a move at first base that many fans have been crying for.

The Yankees, according to a report in this morning’s New York Post have designated first baseman Chris Carter and called up Tyler Austin as his replacement from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The long-awaited move has been urged as recently as yesterday by Yanks Go Yard staff writers and is a signal that the team is poised to finally address this, as well as other holes in the current team makeup up.

Carter came to the Yankees fresh off a season in which he hit 41 home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. But when juxtaposed next to his 200+ strikeouts and $3.2 million salary, the move was instantly judged as questionable by most baseball enthusiasts.

Carter’s role became magnified when Greg Bird went down with an ankle injury that followed a disastrous beginning to the season, despite his torrid Spring Training.

Carter’s fate was probably sealed when the manager, Joe Girardi, “went public” indicating his dissatisfaction with the situation at first base. A rarity for Girardi in breaking ranks, his comments apparently caught the attention of General Manager, Brian Cashman, resulting in what transpired following the Bombers extra-inning victory over the Rangers last night.

Austin steps in with questions

Austin himself has a problem with striking out too much (31 in 106 plate appearances) and, like Carter, has that home run punch when he doesn’t swing and miss, having hit a home run in his last three games at Triple-A Scranton.

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At 25, Austin has been playing in the organization’s farm system since 2010 when he was a 13th round draft pick out of high school in Georgia.

Austin appeared in 31 games for the Yankees in 2016 compiling a .241 batting average with five home runs and 12 RBI. But again, he had issues with putting his bat on the ball, striking out 36 times in only 90 plate appearances.

Whether he is the team’s first baseman of the future, or even for the remainder of this season, remains to be seen and he will be watched closely by the team.

Standing behind Austin as a reminder that the organization is looking for immediate production from him, is Bird, who is sitting idle while the cortisone shot he was given takes full effect.

When ready, and that should be in a day or so, Bird will be sent to Trenton or Scranton where the Yankees will want him to go all out in testing his ankle. If and when Bird becomes major league ready, the Yankees will not hesitate in re-inserting him as their regular first baseman.

Yankees patient approach will save the season in July, or sink it in June

If the Yankees can start winning again, we will see them transform into a super team over the next few weeks. They will prove themselves patient predators.

It’s expected that Austin will make his 2017 debut with the Yankees this afternoon when the Pinstripes take on the Texas Rangers in a 1:05 P.M. start at Yankee Stadium.