NEW YORK — Yankees infielder Kelly Johnson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.
New York selected the contract of right-hander Chris Leroux from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before Wednesday night’s game against Texas. The move adds a fresh arm to the bullpen following a 14-inning victory Tuesday night.
Johnson made his first major league start in right field Tuesday and was injured trying to beat out a 10th-inning grounder. He left the game and was replaced by Ichiro Suzuki.
Johnson is batting .219 with six homers and 22 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. He has made 33 starts at third base and 23 at first.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Leroux, the Yankees designated minor league right-hander Bruce Billings for assignment.