Yankees pick up Brignac from Colorado

May 18, 2013 - 5:00 PM Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees have acquired utilityman Reid Brignac from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.

Brignac had been designated for assignment by the Rockies on Thursday. He was hitting .250 with a homer and six runs batted in over 29 games for Colorado.

The 27-year-old veteran spent his first five years with Tampa Bay. He saw his most extensive playing time in 2010 with the Rays, batting .256 with eight homers and 45 RBI in 113 games.

Brignac gives the Yankees more versatility, especially in the infield with injuries to Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis and Eduardo Nunez. He has played second base, third base and shortstop in the infield while also seeing time at the corner outfield spots.

The Yankees tried to fill the infield role with a Colorado player earlier this season, but Chris Nelson struggled in his brief stint in New York. He hit just .222 with two runs batted in during a 10-game audition before being designated for assignment on Wednesday.

To open a spot on the roster for Brignac, the Yankees designated infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment. Gonzalez, acquired from the Cubs on May 9, appeared in three games for the Yankees this week and was 3-for-9 at the plate. He also got the final out on the mound in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to Seattle.