To add further depth to their corner infield, the Yankees did not acquire a seasoned right-handed bat with power on Sunday.
J.D. Davis was acquired from the Athletics to play first base against left-handed pitching after Anthony Rizzo broke his arm last week.
Davis, who hit 18 home runs for the Giants last season and 22 for the Mets in 2019 while playing for the Mets, is expected to split time at first base with youngster Ben Rice.
After making his major league debut on Tuesday, Rice, a left-handed batter, hit.294 (5-for-17) in his first six games, five of which he started at first base.
Following the Yankees’ 3-1 defeat to the Braves at Yankee Stadium, manager Aaron Boone remarked of Davis, “He can fit into a platoon situation.” “Hopefully, you’ll stop by and throw a little spark for us.”
A spark is needed for the Yankees. Despite having the best record in the American League (52–28), they have dropped seven of their last ten games and have lost three straight series. After Monday off, the Yankees take on the Mets in Queens for a two-game Subway Series on Tuesday night.
With the Mets planning to start two left-handers, David Peterson (3-0, 3.97) and Sean Manaea (4-3, 4.16), Davis may start both games at Citi Field.
Boone said, “Get him in there against left-handed pitching.” Over the past several years, he has been hitting left-handed pitches rather effectively.
Although Davis has fared better against lefties this season (.265) than against them (.225), his career average (.260 against righties and.258 against lefties) was nearly identical to that of the previous season (.249 against righties and.247 against lefties).
Sunday’s game saw the completion of Davis’ trade by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Jordan Groshans, a minor league infielder, was traded by the Yankees.
Last Tuesday, Davis was assigned to a task. Cash considerations are also being given to the Yankees.
Following Sunday’s game, Oswald Peraza, an infielder, was called up for one day and then optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees, making room on the roster for Davis.
After suffering a left hamstring injury during Saturday night’s 8-3 victory against the Braves, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Peraza was called up on Sunday to take Stanton’s position.
With the A’s this season, Davis, 31, has disappointed after agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in March. He hit.236 with four home runs and five RBI in 39 games. His right adductor injury put him on the disabled list from April 15 to May 3.
After putting up strong numbers with San Francisco the previous season, Davis was looking for a higher contract, so he spent the whole summer and spring training as a free agent. He had a.248 batting average, 18 home runs, and 69 RBI in 144 games.
One weakness in Davis’s game is that he often strikes out.
In 546 plate appearances last season, Davis committed 152 errors, or a 27.8% rate of error. This season, it has decreased to 22.5% (30 K, 135 PA). He is at 27.1% for his career.
“Hopefully, with a few injuries under his belt, (Davis) can give us a little boost and help us win some games,” Boone remarked.
