The Yankees sold Wheeler's rights to Tohoku of Japan's Pacific League on Thursday.

Wheeler posted an impressive .834 OPS with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, but he also posted an unsightly .528 OPS at the big-league level, so the Yankees decided to move on and give him a chance to play overseas next season.

Wheeler has been called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will serve as the DH on Thursday versus the Astros, the New York Post reports.

Wheeler, who was optioned back to Triple-A at the beginning of the month, has appeared in 16 games for New York this season. In 31 at bats, Wheeler has notched eight hits, including two home runs. He's performed well at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .296/.267/.467 with 40 RBI, nine home runs and 25 doubles in 304 at-bats. The Yankees sent Chase Whitley to Triple-A to clear room on the roster.

Wheeler was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, the New York Daily News reports.

With Stephen Drew and Martin Prado joining the Yankees, Wheeler and Zoilo Almonte will both head to Triple-A to make room on the roster. In 16 games with the Yankees this season, Wheeler went 8-for-30 at the dish with three RBI and two home runs.

Zelous Wheeler singled and hit a two-run home run in four at-bats in Thursday's loss to the Indians.

Wheeler homered for the second time in his brief big league career, taking T.J. House out to left field in the fourth inning to spot the Yankees a 2-0 lead. In 19 plate appearances, Wheeler has only the two home runs along with two singles.

Zelous Wheeler went yard in his major league debut, going 2-for-4 overall in Thursday's victory against the Twins.

Wheeler followed Carlos Beltran's three-run home run with a solo shot of his own, making hit a four-run fifth inning for the Yankees. He also singled and scored in the seventh. The 27-year-old rookie, who started at third base, was hitting well with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he posted an .834 OPS in 270 plate appearances.

Yankees purchased the contract of INF Zelous Wheeler from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Wheeler was batting .299/.367/.467 with seven home runs and 31 RBI through 66 games this season at Triple-A. The 27-year-old will serve as a utility infielder for New York. He has never appeared in a major league game.

Yankees signed INF Zelous Wheeler to a minor league contract.

It's not clear whether he'll be invited to spring training. Wheeler batted .275/.354/.414 with 11 homers and 56 RBI between Double- and Triple-A for the Orioles this past season. He's merely minor league depth.

Orioles sent INF Zelous Wheeler outright to Double-A Bowie.

He was designated for assignment last week but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization. Wheeler is batting only .202/.288/.283 in 27 games between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Orioles designated INF Zelous Wheeler for assignment.

The move clears a spot for Friday's starter Dana Eveland on the active roster. Wheeler, who was claimed off waivers from the Brewers in late March, was hitting .202/.288/.283 in 27 games between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Orioles claimed INF Zelous Wheeler off waivers from the Brewers.

Wheeler was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster in November after batting .272/.378/.459 with nine homers, 38 RBI, seven stolen bases and an .837 OPS last season between Double- and Triple-A last. Already 25, he's not considered a top prospect.

Brewers purchased the contract of 3B Zelous Wheeler from Triple-A Nashville.

Wheeler batted .272/.378/.459 with nine homers and 38 RBI over 329 at-bats between Double- and Triple-A this season. Though not much of a prospect, he does have one of the cooler names in baseball.