CHICAGO — Dante Bichette Jr. has agreed to a contract with the Yankees, who assigned their top draft pick and former Florida prep star to the club’s rookie-level team in Tampa.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi played with his father, Dante, who hit .299 with 274 homers in 14 seasons in the majors, including seven with the Rockies.
“I think he’s going to be a good player,” Girardi said before New York faced the Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field. “I think he’s learned a lot from his father. I think the young man’s got talent.”
The Yankees took Bichette, a third baseman, out of Maitland, Fla., with the 51st selection in this month’s draft.
He batted .640 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 30 games as a senior.
• Yankees starter Phil Hughes is set to begin a rehabilitation assignment.
The right-hander, out since April 15 because of inflammation in his right shoulder, is scheduled to throw about 65 pitches today for Single-A Staten Island.
Eye infection sidelines Stanton.
Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton was scratched from the starting lineup because of an eye infection.
Stanton had been scheduled to be the designated hitter in Saturday’s interleague game against host Tampa Bay.
Footnotes.
The Indians placed first baseman Matt LaPorta on the 15-day DL with a sprained right ankle and recalled outfielder Travis Buck from Triple-A Columbus.
• The Orioles designated struggling reliever Jeremy Accardo for assignment.
• The Brewers picked up the contract of pitcher Mark DiFelice from Triple-A Nashville.
• The Braves have recalled outfielder Wilkin Ramirez from Triple-A Gwinnett.
• Astros outfielder Hunter Pence missed Saturday’s game against the Dodgers because of a hyperextended left elbow.
