Eric Chavez was off to a very good start this season -- .290/.303/.581 with three home runs in 33 at-bats -- before he went on the disabled list.
Chavez on the DL isn't really news; he hasn't played a full season since 2005.
What is news is who was taken off the Yankees' 25-man roster to make room for Chavez:
nunez sent down today to make room for chavez on roster
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) May 11, 2012
Eduardo Nunez was the principal fill-in for Derek Jeter during the Yankee captain's stay on the DL in 2011; though he didn't hit that well (.698 OPS, 84 OPS+), he served capably in a defensive capacity.
The Yankees aren't satisfied, apparently, with Nunez's hitting, even though his numbers have actually gone up this year -- .728 OPS, 97 OPS+ -- so they're getting him some more regular playing time in Triple-A.
Chavez is likely to spend some time at first base, some time at DH, and a little at third base if Alex Rodriguez needs a breather, though that might wind up sending Chavez back to the DL, where we can start this merry-go-round all over again.