MINNEAPOLIS -- The New York Yankees reunion with Alfonso Soriano is likely over after the team designated the struggling outfielder for assignment on Sunday. Soriano returned to New York midway through last season and sparked the offence with 17 home runs in 58 games. But Soriano hit just .221 this season with six homers and 23 RBIs in 67 games. The Yankees announced the move shortly after acquiring Arizona right-handed starter Brandon McCarthy for lefty Vidal Nuno. "We designated Soriano, which is extremely difficult because hes been a great Yankee and a great player," New York manager Joe Girardi said before Sundays game at Minnesota. Sorianos playing time decreased considerably this year after New York signed Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran in the off-season. He recently has been splitting time in right field with Ichiro Suzuki since Beltran was injured and is now limited to designated hitter. But the slugger who started his major league career with the Yankees in 1999 and has 412 career homers has not connected since May 17 and has struck out 71 times in 226 at-bats. The 38-year-old Soriano is in the final year of an eight-year, $136 million deal he signed with the Chicago Cubs, who are paying $13 million of his $18 million salary this year. The Yankees have 10 days to trade or place Soriano on unconditional waivers. If he clears waivers, New York can release him. "For Soriano, its a guy that came in and did a tremendous job for us last year, has had his struggles this year and hes a guy thats used to playing every day," Girardi said. "Wasnt every day for him, maybe it was harder for him to get going, not sure. Im sure hes extremely disappointed. Soriano always takes things with class." The Yankees recalled pitcher Bruce Billings from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Billings pitched in one game for New York this season, allowing four runs in four innings on April 25 against the Los Angeles Angels. Girardi has an open spot in the starting rotation after Nuno was traded to the Diamondbacks. Nuno was slated to start on Monday and McCarthy pitched on Thursday. New York wont force McCarthy into Nunos spot on short rest. Billings -- who has started 11 games in Triple-A -- wont be a candidate to start on Monday, Girardi said. An announcement will be made later. "The taxing of our bullpen kind of forced us to make this move, in a sense," Girardi said. "Im not saying it wouldnt have happened, but we decided we had to make it today because we need to." Chris Paul Rockets Jersey . And on Sunday against the Houston Astros they were pleased to see his work finally pay off with his first win since May 24. Eric Gordon Jersey . Acclaimed by world football leaders but held in contempt by many football fans. Blatter should arrive at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo to watch host Brazil play Croatia confident that this tournament -- his fifth as president -- wont be his last leading the worlds favourite sport. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authen...Rockets-Jersey/. A quick first step to get to the hoop for a layup. A rousing dunk on the break off a high outlet pass saved by teammate Ramon Sessions. PJ Tucker Rockets Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. James Harden Rockets Jersey . Under the deal, the Vikings will donate an undisclosed sum of money to five gay rights-related charities over the next five years. Kluwe said he wont receive any money as part of the settlement. "This will help a lot of people that really do need that help," Kluwe said. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Eleven days after he was released by the Baltimore Orioles, Steve Pearce was a huge reason they beat Tampa Bay. Pearce hit a two-run homer and made a game-saving defensive play Thursday night in Baltimores 3-1 victory over the Rays. Pearce, who re-signed with the Orioles two days after his April 27 release, hit his second homer in three games. Ubaldo Jimenez (2-4) won his second straight start as Baltimore completed a three-game sweep. The home run by Pearce came off David Price after J.J. Hardys double in the second inning. Playing first base in place of injured slugger Chris Davis, Pearce also made an outstanding stretch to catch a throw from Hardy that completed an inning-ending double play in the fifth. "Stevie may have made the defensive play of the night," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged the call, but the ruling that Pearce kept his foot on the bag was confirmed after a 2-minute review. "The bases were loaded at the time, so if that got past me it could have cleared the bases," said Pearce, who had to wait for the replay decision to be sure the call was right. "It happened so fast and when you look, youre not on the bag anymore, so it depends on what happens." Nick Markakis extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the Baltimore third. Evan Longoria hit a two-out RBI single in the first off Jimenez, who pitched 5 1-3 innings for his second win after going 0-4 in his first month with the Orioles. "Im really happy April is gone,," Jimenez said.dddddddddddd. "Now its May and everything is good." Singles by Adam Jones, Pearce and Jonathan Schoop produced Baltimores final run in the fourth. Darren ODay worked the ninth for his second save. The Rays have scored only eight runs in losing five straight games to Baltimore. They left 11 runners on base in this one. "Our goal right now is to figure out a way to get through it," Longoria said. "We all want to win. We all want to do our part. When it doesnt work out, its definitely frustrating." Price (3-3) gave up nine hits and three runs while striking out three in five-plus innings. It was the 16th time in their last 23 games that a Rays starting pitcher has failed to pitch into the sixth inning. Tampa Bay pitching coach Jim Hickey was ejected in the first inning for arguing a checked swing by Jones. NOTES: Baltimore C Matt Wieters was the designated hitter, one day after having his sore right elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews. No timeframe has been announced for when Wieters, who took pregame grounders at first base, will resume catching. ... Davis (strained left oblique) could be ready for a short minor league rehab assignment next week. ... Showalter will attend his sons graduation from TCU on Saturday, but expects to be back for the night game against Houston. He will miss the May 17 game at Kansas City to attend his daughters law school graduation at SMU. ... The Orioles begin a six-game homestand Friday night with LHP Wei-Yin Chen (3-2) facing Houston RHP Scott Feldman (2-1). ' ' '