Yankees DFA Chris Carter, recall Tyler Austin from Triple-A

After getting off to a dreadful start at the plate, the Yankees finally announced that they were designating Chris Carter for assignment, and recalling Tyler Austin from Triple-A. The move seems like a long time coming for a Yankees team desperate for some first base production.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports

Carter never got any momentum with the Yankees at the dish despite getting consistent playing time with the Greg Bird injury. The 30-year-old hit just .204 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs, and he struck out in 37% of his plate appearances.

Carter had a chance to give the Yankees a win on Friday night with the winning run 90 feet away in one out. Instead, Carter went down on strikes for the third time of the night, only to have Ronald Torreyes bail him out with a walk-off single.

Photo Credit: Seth Wenig | AP

The Yankees brought Chris Carter on just before Spring Training in a low-risk, high-reward move on a one-year, $3-million contract. Unfortunately, the move never panned out, and Tyler Austin was finding his groove in Triple-A.

Austin made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2016 and hit .241/.300/.458 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 31 games. After his performance last year, he had plenty of confidence heading into 2017.

Photo Credit: Bill Tarutis | Times Leader

The 25-year-old youngster entered this season looking to compete for the first base job. However, he broke his foot during the first week of camp after he fouled a ball off it in batting practice. Austin would not return until May 20, and he was officially optioned to Triple-A Scranton on June 5.

Since being sent to AAA, Austin has been raking with a .300/.366/.560 line, including three home runs in his last four games. His power surge along with Carter’s inability to make consistent contact forced the Yankees to give Austin the call.

The Yankees are concerned with Austin’s swing and miss rates in the minors, as he struck out in nearly 27% of his plate appearances, but the Yankees seem to be fully embracing the youth movement while contending the AL East.

While this seems like a desperation move for the Yankees, it also seems like a necessary one. The Yankees will look for Austin to hold down the first base position every day until Bird returns and if Austin performs, it could be his job to lose as we head into the summer. The Yankees are among the bottom feeders of the MLB in first base production, so Austin looks like he will be an instant in-house upgrade over Carter.

Article by: Chad Raines

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