Carter designated for assignment

The Chris Carter experiment is over.

The Yankees designated the struggling first baseman for assignment and recalled Tyler Austin from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Carter struck out three more times in Friday’s 2-1, 10-inning win over the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Carter was signed in February to provide protection in case Greg Bird couldn’t hold down the everyday first base job, but Bird suffered a bone bruise to his right ankle near the end of spring training and Austin suffered a fractured foot.

While the Yankees cross their fingers that the cortisone shot Bird received to get rid of the inflammation in his right ankle works, they will now turn to Austin, who has been on a hot streak at Triple-A.

Austin entered Friday having homered in three straight games, but also striking out 31 times in just 106 plate appearances. He went 2-for-4 with a double on Friday for SWB.

Bird should know whether the shot worked by the end of the weekend.

Jacoby Ellsbury took full batting practice for the third straight day — one day after passing a concussion test clearing him to play.

If all continues to go well for the center fielder, Joe Girardi said he should be able to go on a minor league rehab stint soon — which would leave the manager with some decisions to make.

And Girardi made it clear all four outfielders would get regular playing time whenever Ellsbury comes back.

Aaron Hicks has developed into one of the team’s top offensive players, meaning he’ll continue to play on a regular basis, along with Brett Gardner in left and Aaron Judge in right.