Alfonso Soriano’s 2014 season reached a new low on Sunday.
The New York Yankees announced that they had designated Soriano to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre for assignment. The Yankees called up right-handed pitcher Bruce Billings to take Soriano’s place.
Soriano is hitting just .221 with six home runs and 23 RBIs this season. The 38-year-old hasn’t hit a home run since May 17 and has just five hits in his last 32 at-bats.
Soriano told NJ.com on Saturday that his slump has a lot to do with the fact that he’s not playing everyday. He’s been splitting time with Ichiro Suzuki in right field, mainly starting against left-handed pitchers.
“That’s tough because you don’t play for two days and you play today and you don’t have rhythm,” Soriano said, via NJ.com. “So it’s hard for me to make adjustments. If I sit today and I maybe not see another pitcher for two days, it’s very hard to make an adjustment and get my rhythm.”
The Yankees re-acquired Soriano in a trade with the Chicago Cubs last summer, and he hit .256 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs in 58 games after the deal.
