New York Yankees first baseman Garrett Jones was designated for assignment Friday, according to the New York Post. Jones was hitting just .215 in 144 at-bats this season and became expendable when the team acquired outfielder Dustin Ackley on Thursday.

Jones went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to the A's. With both Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury sidelined with injury, Jones has been pressed into regular playing time in right field, and has started to swing better of late as he's collect four hits (two extra-base hits) in his past three games. With Ellsbury set to return Wednesday though, Jones will likely see less regular starts going forward.

Jones, getting the start in right field, went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk Wednesday against the Angels. Inconsistent playing time has prevented Jones from getting into much of a rhythm, as most of his numbers are lingering around their career worsts (not counting his 77-at-bat cup of coffee with the Twins in 2007). At this point, Jones is practically useless outside of AL-only leagues, and his value even in those is limited to deeper formats.

Jones will bat sixth and play first base Monday against the Phillies, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPN. With Teixeira out of the lineup for an undisclosed reason, Jones gets the start at first base. On the season, he's hitting for a .224/.275/.365 slash line in 85 at bats with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Jones homered for the second straight game Wednesday, drilling a two-run shot off Mariners starter Taijuan Walker for his lone hit in three-at bats on the day. Apparently, Jones likes facing the Mariners, as he went deep to send the Yankees to an extra-inning victory Tuesday. However, with inconsistent playing time and not much to offer outside of the occasional homer, his fantasy value is largely limited to AL-only formats.

Jones went 2-for-3 with the go-ahead three-run homer in the 11th inning of Tuesday's win over the Mariners. Jones didn't come into the game until he served as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, but he then led off the 10th with a single and hit the three-run blast with two out in the next frame. His better hitting of late has raised his average on the season to .254, but Jones won't see regular playing time.

Jones struck out in his only at bat in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals. Jones hasn't gotten regular at bats this season as he's primarily served as Mark Teixeira's backup at first base, and has struggled when he has played as he sports a .150/.171/.225 slash line with 11 strikeouts in 40 at bats. The club was hopeful that the lefty could take advantage of the short porch in right field, but after launching at least 15 home runs in six straight seasons, Jones has yet to hit one out this year.

Jones went 3-for-4 with a triple in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rays. Jones had started the season just 2-for-14, but raised his batting average to a respectable .278 with the three-hit night. The lefty has received the occasional start in right field and as the club's designated hitter but appears to be occupying more of a bench role or pinch hitter than any sort of regular option.

Jones finished the spring slashing .176/.218/.235 with just two RBI in 21 games. Jones entered the spring as a possible platoon option with Alex Rodriguez at DH and as a backup option at both first base and in the outfield, but it's unclear exactly where he stands heading into the regular season. General manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi both indicated they were pleased with what they saw out of Rodriguez in the spring, so it's possible Jones could lose out on some DH at bats against lefties and instead serve primarily in a utility role.

Jones was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game with an illness, the Journal News reports. Jones believes it's just food poisoning, so he could be back out on the field without missing much time. After being traded to the Yankees in December, the club is looking at him as a possible platoon option with Alex Rodriguez at DH as well as a backup option at first base and in the outfield. Jones hit 15 homers last season against right handed pitching, and his power could benefit even more from playing in Yankee Stadium if he does get regular starts against righties.