The Yankees have recalled outfielder Steve Pearce and optioned infielder Casey McGehee to Single-A Charleston, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported Tuesday.
Pearce, acquired from the Astros on Monday, will immediately jump into action, batting cleanup in the designated hitter role Tuesday against Toronto. Pearce is favored for his ability to hit left-handed pitching (like Tuesday opponent Ricky Romero) -- Pearce owns a .835 OPS against lefties this season and an .831 mark career. Pearce's addition was expedited by news that first baseman Mark Teixeira could miss a week or more with a calf strain.
The move to send McGehee down to Charleston as opposed to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre will allow the Yankees to get McGehee back to the majors quicker, manager Joe Girardi said. Typically, a player must wait 10 days before he is allowed to return to the majors after an option, but with the Class A season ending soon McGehee could be back on the Yankees' roster when rosters expand to 40 on Sept. 1.
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