Yankees designate veteran Morales for assignment

The New York Yankees reinstated veteran Kendrys Morales from the 10-day injured list and then designated him for assignment on Tuesday. The Yankees acquired the first baseman/designated hitter from the Oakland A's on May 14 in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. Oakland had designated him for assignment a day earlier.

Morales, 36, went on the injured list on June 13 with a strained left calf. In his month with the Yankees, he appeared in 19 games and had just 11 hits in 62 at-bats (.177). He had one home run and five RBIs. He became expendable with the acquisition of another veteran designated hitter, Edwin Encarnacion, and the emergence of Luke Voit at first base. Morales has played for seven teams over his 13-year career and has a lifetime batting average of .265 with 213 home runs and 740 runs driven in.

In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled left-hander Stephen Tarpley from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In previous stints with the Yankees this season, he has pitched in 6 1/3 innings over eight games and has an 8.53 ERA with one save.