Via George King -

With Johnny Damon sidelined by an injured foot, the Yankees today called up outfielder Justin Christian for tonight’s game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Chrisitan is in the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing left field.

Damon, who has pain in his left arch, said, “Sunday I couldn’t move. I had no chance to swing the bat or chase the ball.”

Billy Traber was optioned to make room for Christian, and Steven White was outrighted off the 40-man roster.

Christian, who started his professional career in the independent Frontier League in 2003, was elevated from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) where he batted .309 (59-for-191) in 55 games.

The 28-year-old adds a pinch-runner to Joe Girardi’s bench, which has lacked that element all year. Christian was 18-for-21 in stolen base attempts at SWB.

Back in August of 2006, I shared some background on Christian. Click here to see it.

If he was five years younger, you might be able to consider Justin Christian to be a Chad Curtis type player. However, since he’s not five years younger, he’s more like a Bob Brower type player.

But, hey, even Bob Brower had a few moments in the sun for the Yankees.