Yanks bring Miranda to big club

NEW YORK -- As the number of games remaining at Yankee Stadium continue to tick down, Juan Miranda may get the chance to make his Major League debut during the final week at baseball's Cathedral.

The Cuban-born first baseman was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to Wednesday's game against the White Sox, occupying the empty locker to the left of captain Derek Jeter.

Miranda played an instrumental role in the Minor League lineup, batting .287 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs in 99 games with the Triple-A club. He also racked up 11 RBIs in eight postseason games as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees made their run to the Governors' Cup title, and in the team's championship win, Miranda slugged a home run and drove in six runs.

He defected to the Dominican Republic in 2004 after beginning his career in Cuba, and Miranda saw time on the field with Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2007. His combined 96 RBIs between the two teams marked the most of all Yankees Minor Leaguers last season.

With first baseman Jason Giambi in the final year of his seven-year, $120 million contract, Miranda could become a candidate for the role. And the opportunity to take the field for the big league club during the remainder of the 2008 season would give the Yankees' management a chance to evaluate him on a Major League level.

In addition to a powerful bat, Miranda also brings a skillful glove. he committed just five errors in 670 chances for a .993 fielding percentage at first base this season.

When asked if he would like to give Miranda playing time in upcoming games, manager Joe Girardi said, "We'd like to, yes. You don't bring guys up to sit them the whole time. You'd like to get them in a game, and it will be a day-by-day decision."

With Miranda's callup, the Yankees' active roster contains 35 players, including 11 rookies.