The Yankees have a low-impact infielder returning from injury

The Yankees need all the help they can get if they want to enter September building a lead in the American League East. They currently hold a slim 0.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, but they need to dominate lower-tier teams like the Colorado Rockies.

Unfortunately, the Rockies humiliated the Yankees with a 9-2 win on Saturday afternoon, once again taking advantage of young starting pitcher Will Warren.

Reinforcements on the way

The Yankees have several reinforcements in the pipeline, but an understated impact player could be a valuable solution if problems arise or the team needs a reliable pinch hitter and base runner.

The Yankees signed Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins to begin the 2024 season. The 34-year-old has battled multiple injuries this year, most recently a calf injury that landed him on the 60-day injured list. On Saturday, he began a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset, where he had two hits and a three-run home run in three at-bats. Berti's performance was exactly what the Yankees expected from the experienced all-around player.

Jon Berti: A versatile piece of utility

This season, Berti has made 17 appearances, hitting .273/.322/.327 with one home run, six RBIs and four stolen bases. While he isn't known for home runs or his hitting power, he consistently maintains a solid batting average and stole 41 bases just two years ago with Miami.

Berti ranks in the 94th percentile in sprint speed and could serve as a key pinch hitter, offering a reliable bat that makes consistent contact. Before his injury, he was in the 90+ percentile in chase rate and well above average in whiff rate, demonstrating his strong batting discipline.

Berti’s defensive flexibility

Berti can also play third base and second base, in addition to 764 innings as a shortstop and 577 innings in the outfield over the course of his career. He is a proven all-around player who can fill multiple roles for the Yankees, a valuable asset as his performance is more consistent than that of Oswaldo Cabrera and especially DJ LeMahieu. Although he does not play first base, that position is filled for the Yankees with Anthony Rizzo's expected return in the next few weeks.

Outlook for September

The Yankees are patiently awaiting the return of several key players, setting the stage for an exciting September that could boost their World Series aspirations. They just need to stay healthy until the end, especially with the playoffs looming in October.