Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
Higashioka was called up to the Yankees earlier in the weekend with Gary Sanchez (groin) hurting, but with Sanchez set to rejoin the lineup Sunday, the team had no further need for a third catcher. The Yankees activated closer Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) from the disabled list to take Higashioka's spot on the 25-man roster.