The Yankees did not trade for a seasoned right-handed hitter with power on Sunday solely to add corner infield depth.
After Anthony Rizzo broke his arm last week, J.D. Davis was acquired from the Athletics to play first base against left-handed pitching.
Davis, who hit 22 home runs for the Mets in 2019 and 18 for the Giants last season, will likely share time at first with rookie Ben Rice.
Rice, a left-handed hitter, was brought up for the first time last Tuesday and hit.294 (5-for-17) in his first six major-league games, five of which he started at first base.
“He can fit into a platoon situation,” manager Aaron Boone said of Davis after the Yankees fell 3-1 to the Braves at Yankee Stadium. “Hopefully come in here and give us a little spark.”
The Yankees require a spark. Their 52-28 record is the best in the American League, but they have lost three consecutive series and seven of their last ten games. The Yankees will be off on Monday before beginning a two-game Subway Series against the Mets in Queens on Tuesday night.
Davis might start both games at Citi Field, with the Mets set to start two left-handers, David Peterson (3-0, 3.97) and Sean Manaea (4-3, 4.16).
“Get him in there against left-handed pitching,” Boone told the crowd. “He’s hit left-handed pitching well over the last couple years.”
RESTORING GLORY
Davis has had more success this season against lefties (.265) than lefties (.225), but his average was almost the same last season (.249 vs. righties,.247 against. lefties), as it has been throughout his career (.260 vs. righties,.258 vs. lefties).
During Sunday’s game, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman completed the Davis deal. The Yankees gave away minor league infielder Jordan Groshans.
Davis was designated for assignment last Tuesday. The Yankees are also receiving cash considerations.
After Sunday’s game, the Yankees added a roster spot for Davis by optioning infielder Oswald Peraza back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following a one-day call-up.
Peraza was summoned on Sunday to replace designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, who was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring injury sustained in Saturday night’s 8-3 victory over the Braves.
Davis, 31, was a letdown for the A’s this season after signing a one-year contract worth $2.5 million in March. In 39 games, he batted.236 with four home runs and five RBI. He was on the injured list from April 15 to May 3 due to a right adductor strain.
Davis was a free agent throughout the winter and into spring training, looking for a larger contract after putting up solid numbers with San Francisco last season. In 144 games, he batted.248 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI.
He has a career.259 batting average from eight MLB seasons with the Astros (2017-18), Mets (2019-22), Giants (2022-23), and Athletics (2024). His greatest season was his first with the Mets, when he hit.307 with 22 home runs and 57 RBI in 140 games.
One disadvantage to Davis’ game is that he strikes out frequently.
Davis whiffed 152 times in 546 plate appearances last season, for a 27.8 percent percentage. It has reduced to 22.5% this season (30 K, 135 PA). He has a career percentage of 27.1%.
“Hopefully where we are, a couple injuries down, (Davis) can give us a little shot in the arm and be a piece to us winning some games,” Boone added.
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