Jon Berti was the lone member of the Yankees’ ALCS roster that wasn’t included on the membership’s roster for the World Sequence, although past techniques, well being was the important thing consider Berti’s absence. Supervisor Aaron Boone informed MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch and different media that Berti suffered a flexor pressure in his proper hip whereas working the bases in Sport 4 of the ALCS. Berti entered that sport within the high of the ninth as a pinch-runner for Anthony Rizzo, got here round to attain what ended up as the sport’s successful run, after which performed second base within the backside half of the body.
“Sadly, time ran out for [Berti] to be prepared,” Boone stated. “In order that’s a blow for us. I really feel for him as a result of he was enjoying a extremely essential function for us, particularly in these first two rounds.”
With Rizzo sidelined by two damaged fingers till the ALCS, Berti discovered himself within the unlikely function of New York’s beginning first baseman for 2 ALDS video games in opposition to the Royals, and once more for Sport 3 of the ALCS (with Rizzo on the bench in opposition to Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd). Although Berti has carved out a distinct segment as a super-utility participant over his seven Main League seasons, he had by no means earlier than performed first base throughout his complete professional profession earlier than taking up the chilly nook for this yr’s playoffs. Berti can solely watch from the sidelines as his teammates will attempt to dig themselves out of an 0-1 gap within the Sequence after yesterday’s heartbreaking walkoff loss.
Extra from across the AL East…
- Ted Leonsis seemed into shopping for the Orioles when the Angelos household put the crew up on the market, the Washington Submit’s Rick Maese write as a part of an extended profile of the billionaire. Already the proprietor of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards, Leonsis was closely thought of because the prime contender to purchase the Nationals when the Lerner household introduced they had been wanting into promoting the crew in April 2022, although the household reversed course final February and stated the Nats had been now not on the market. Leonsis reiterated earlier this yr and inside Maese’s piece that he stays within the Nationals if the Lerners do resolve to promote, although it additionally is smart that he would’ve no less than checked into the Orioles as soon as they got here in the marketplace.
- Jackson Holliday had some success after adopting a toe faucet into his swing late within the 2024 season, and the Orioles shortstop informed Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Solar that he’ll now look to proceed utilizing this tailored strategy subsequent season. Although Holliday had used the toe-top method now and again throughout his highschool days, he gave it one other shot whereas “simply messing round within the cage, making an attempt to mimic [Shohei] Ohtani,” however Holliday then felt fairly snug together with his swing. Holliday hit solely .189/.255/.311 over his first 208 plate appearances within the massive leagues, hanging out 69 instances as pitchers took benefit of the massive leg kick Holliday utilized in his outdated swing. Clearly it’s too quickly to inform if this adjustment may really unlock one thing for Holliday, however as he heads into his sophomore season, the sky continues to be the restrict for the primary total decide of the 2022 draft.
- MLBPA head Tony Clark informed reporters (together with The Athletic’s Evan Drellich and USA Right this moment’s Bob Nightengale) that he and the union haven’t but heard from the league about any plans for the Rays’ enjoying future, as Tropicana Discipline was closely broken by Hurricane Milton. Evaluation of that injury continues to be going down, however because the Rays will certainly must spend no less than the beginning of the 2025 season in a brand new residence ballpark, loads of choices have already been floated as interim locales. As Clark famous, the gamers’ union “would not have a hand within the facility. We don’t have a hand within the transfer. We now have a hand in what’s referred to as results bargaining: How are gamers affected by the league’s determination? On the finish of the day, if the choice places gamers in hurt’s manner, it is dependent upon what hurt’s manner means.” This may imply ensuring the whole lot concerned in a brand new ballpark is as much as Main League requirements, as a number of minor league stadiums and Spring Coaching amenities are into account for the Rays.
