Yankees Avoid Worst-Case Scenario with Jon Berti’s Injury Update
When Jon Berti, the Yankees’ versatile utility man and part-time third baseman, collapsed without contact during Friday’s blowout win, fears of a severe injury spread quickly. Berti left the field without putting weight on his injured leg, sparking concerns about a potential Achilles tear. Such an injury would have ended his season and significantly weakened the Yankees’ bench, which relies on Berti’s versatility. It would also have been a personal blow to Berti, who has finally started to shine after years of mediocrity in Miami.
Injuries are always unwelcome, but losing a key player like Berti in the ninth inning of a game where the Yankees led 7-0 seemed particularly cruel. New York sports radio was abuzz with speculation, and concern grew when manager Aaron Boone had no updates on Berti’s condition over 24 hours later. However, Sunday’s news brought relief: Berti’s injury, while serious, was not season-ending. He suffered a high-grade calf strain and will need time to rehabilitate, but he is expected to return later in the season. In the meantime, the Yankees can lean on DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza, who are nearing their own returns.
Berti, batting .273 in 55 at-bats and fresh off a game-changing three-run homer against the White Sox, is a significant part of the Yankees’ lineup. His absence will be felt, much like when Mike Tauchman went down in September 2019, leading to a cascade of injuries that weakened the team. But the Yankees’ infield depth often finds a way to adjust. Kevin Smith will temporarily fill Berti’s spot, with LeMahieu’s return on the horizon. Despite the setback, Berti is expected to contribute down the stretch once he’s fully recovered.
Yankees Promote Yoendrys Gomez to Replace Injured Nick Burdi
In another roster move, the Yankees had to place hard-throwing reliever Nick Burdi on the Injured List due to hip inflammation, marking his second IL stint this season. Burdi had been performing well earlier in the season but struggled after his return, with his control becoming an issue. Rather than recalling Ron Marinaccio, who has excelled in Triple-A, the Yankees opted to promote Yoendrys Gomez. Gomez, primarily a starter in the minors, will now have a chance to prove his worth in the bullpen.
Gomez’s promotion is a strategic decision to evaluate his potential as a bullpen asset. With a mid-90s fastball and a sweeping breaking ball, Gomez has the raw talent that could flourish in relief. The Yankees hope this midseason experiment will provide valuable insights into their bullpen options, especially with Marinaccio still dominating in Triple-A. As the team navigates through injuries and roster adjustments, they aim to uncover new strengths that will aid their postseason push.
