Reese gets engaged, called up by Yankees

NEW YORK -- Kevin Reese didn't know what to say first when he called his friends.

"I'm getting married. By the way, I just got called up to the big leagues," he told some.

For others, he reversed the order.

With Bernie Williams struggling defensively, the New York Yankees purchased the contract of the 27-year-old outfielder from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and immediately put him in the lineup against the Mets. Reese played left field and batted ninth, with Tony Womack shifted to center.

"It's very unusual," manager Joe Torre said. "What's been going on here is a little unusual, too."

Reese was batting .272 at Columbus with 22 doubles, eight homers and 37 RBIs in 305 at-bats. Acquired from San Diego in 2001, he split last season between Columbus and Double-A Trenton, and made the Eastern League All-Star team.

On Friday, he proposed to Laura Le Gallo after the Clippers' game. They plan to get married in December. They had been talking about marriage for a while but hadn't set any plans.

"I kind of surprised her," Reese said.

He went 0-for-3 Saturday in Columbus' game against the Mets' Norfolk farm team, then found out the Yankees were bringing him up. Reese traveled to New York on Sunday, and when he arrived at the ballpark the only other player in the clubhouse was Carl Pavano.

"I've been waiting for this day since I started playing baseball when I was 6 or 7 years old," Reese said.

His parents, Bob and Samantha, took an early flight from San Diego and were to be at Yankee Stadium in time for his debut.

To clear space on the 25-man roster, New York optioned pitcher Sean Henn to Columbus. Henn lost twice in the past week, dropping to 0-3 in three starts with the Yankees this season.

"I'm sure he was disappointed. He's not ready yet," Torre said. "I still feel very strongly he's a big league pitcher down the road."