NEW YORK -- The Yankees have promoted slugging prospect Chris Gittens from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hoping the 27-year-old can provide a jolt at first base in his first turn in the majors.
New York entered Saturday night's game against Boston with its first basemen hitting .174 with five homers. The group's .531 OPS ranks 29th in the majors, ahead of only Cleveland.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Gittens was set to bat sixth and make his major league debut against the Red Sox.
"He's earned this opportunity,'' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "He can continue to earn more.