Melky

Mesa

Mesa, 25, batted .264/.325/.480 with 23 home runs, 67 RBI, 22 stolen bases and an .805 OPS over 121 games this season between Double- and Triple-A. He’ll function as a reserve outfielder and pinch-runner down the stretch.

The move was made prior to Tuesday’s game. Mesa, 25, batted .264/.325/.480 with 23 home runs, 67 RBI, 22 stolen bases and an .805 OPS over 121 games this season between Double- and Triple-A. He’ll be used as a reserve outfielder and pinch-runner during the stretch run.

With Curtis Granderson (forearm) sidelined for at least the first month of the season, Mesa will remain with the Yankees and try to win an Opening Day roster spot. The 26-year-old batted .264/.325/.480 between two different levels of the minors last season and is off to an impressive start so far in spring training.

Mesa is now competing for a spot on the Yankees with Curtis Granderson down. He’s also battling to be the Dominican Republic’s left fielder in the World Baseball Classic. The 26-year-old hit .264/.325/.480 between Double- and Triple-A last year.

Mesa, a native of the Dominican Republic, backed out of the World Baseball Classic earlier this month in order to help his chances of making the Yankees. He still has a shot of being carried as a reserve, but it’s not a very good one. To go along with his three homers this spring, he has a .183 average and 13 strikeouts in 43 at-bats.

Mesa batted .228 (13-for-57) with three home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases in 25 games this spring. The 26-year-old will serve as outfield depth in the minor leagues.

Mesa has hit only .261/.295/.452 with 13 homers and 13 steals at the Triple-A level this season. He’s got some pop and speed and is just 26, so someone will take a shot on him.

Mesa made his made league debut with the Yankees earlier this season and has a .249/.277/.424 batting line at the Triple-A level. Thomas Neal has also been recalled to provide outfield depth.

Mesa will head back down to the minors now that Curtis Granderson is ready to come off the DL. The 26-year-old went 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles and one RBI during his brief stint with the big club.

It’s just a day of rest. Melky Mesa will start in center field as the Yankees wrap up a series in Texas.