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The Cleveland Indians have designated outfielder Johnny Damon for assignment ahead of Friday’s game in Detroit.

The 38-year-old Damon was signed to a Minor League deal in April, but hit just .222 with four home runs and 19 RBI in 66 games with the Indians. His 46 hits this season give him 2,769 for his career, a total that is fourth among active players (behind former Yankees teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez and Toronto’s Omar Vizquel) and five shy of tying Andre Dawson for 50th all-time.

Damon isn’t the first decorated veteran former Yankee – or even the first Indian – to find himself out of a job in the last week. Cleveland also designated RHP Derek Lowe for assignment late Wednesday night, while OF/DH Hideki Matsui was released by the Rays on Wednesday and OF Bobby Abreu was DFA’ed by the Dodgers after they acquired Shane Victorino prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.

To replace Damon, the Indians have called up OF Ezequiel Carrera, who hit .294 at Triple-A Columbus and was in the Top 3 in the International League in runs (65, second), hits (116, third), and stolen bases (26, also third), and Carrera was in the starting lineup for Friday’s game.

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