The New York Yankees hope Richie Sexson can solve their woes against left-handed pitching, signing the veteran first baseman for the rest of the season, according to various news reports.

The New York Daily News is reporting on its website that Sexson, released July 10 by the Seattle Mariners, will be in the lineup for the Yankees on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics and left-hander Greg Smith.

Finding no takers that would let him play every day, Sexson will platoon at first base with Jason Giambi, according to the Daily News.

The New York Post is reporting that the Yankees will wait until at least before Friday’s series-opening game against Oakland when both clubs return to action after the All-Star break.

Sexson, in the final season of a four-year, $50 million contract he signed before the 2005 season, hit just .218 with the Mariners before his release. But he was hitting .344 against left-handers (.178 against righties) with a .623 slugging percentage in 61 at-bats.

As a team, the Yankees are hitting .257 against southpaws. Surprisingly, it is the right-handed hitters who are the biggest culprits, with a .233 average vs. .285 for New York’s left-handed hitters vs. lefty pitchers.

Hookscenter.com wire report.