Yankees sign Kosuke Fukudome to minor-league deal

Japanese import hit .171 for White Sox prior to his June release.

The Yankees signed outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a minor-league contract Friday, Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger reported. He has been assigned to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

The White Sox signed Fukudome to a one-year, $1 million contract in the offseason with a club option for 2013. He was an major disappointment, hitting just .171/.294/.195 in 24 games with Chicago. 

Fukudome will provide outfield depth for the Yankees, who have been dealing with Brett Gardner's injury in left field for nearly the entire season. Fukudome gives the Yankees a veteran behind Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones.