LHP Wright designated for assignment by Yankees

[January 28, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Left-hander Chase Wright was designated for assignment Tuesday by the New York Yankees to clear a roster spot for Andy Pettitte.

The 25-year-old was a combined 10-3 with one save and a 2.85 ERA last year at Double-A Trenton, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the rookie-level Gulf Coast Yankees.

He was 2-0 in two starts and one relief appearance for the Yankees in 2007. At Fenway Park that April 22, he allowed consecutive home runs to Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek.

New York has 10 days to trade Wright, send him outright to the minors or put him on waivers.

In a move that was not announced, the Yankees and left-hander Phil Coke agreed to a one-year contract that pays him $403,300 while in the majors and $65,000 while in the minors. Coke was 1-0 with a 0.61 ERA for the Yankees in 12 relief appearances during a September callup.

[Associated Press]

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