NEW YORK — This has been an eventful week for J.D. Davis, who now finds himself making his Yankees debut within the Subway Sequence in opposition to one in all his former golf equipment, only a few days faraway from baseball limbo after being designated for task by the Athletics.
Given the uncertainty of his earlier scenario, Davis is thrilled for this chance, which begins on Tuesday with the 31-year-old batting sixth and taking part in first base within the Bombers’ lineup in opposition to the Mets at Citi Area.
“The Subway Sequence is an enormous deal for New York,” Davis mentioned. “It’s type of unreal as a result of it was simply final week that I didn’t actually have a job, and unexpectedly I’m again right here in New York. It’s fairly surreal.”
Davis went 0-for-3 in his Yankees debut, watching the Mets grasp on for a 9-7 victory.
The Yankees acquired Davis from the A’s together with money concerns on Sunday in change for Minor League infielder Jordan Groshans.
Davis was batting .236 (29-for-123) with 4 residence runs and 5 RBIs in 39 video games for Oakland this season, showing defensively at first base and third base. The A’s designated Davis for task on June 18.
“It’s thrilling to go from a staff that was simply sub-.500 to a staff that’s going for a division, going for a pennant, and all the time seeking to win a World Sequence,” Davis mentioned. “Everytime you’re a part of that, it’s solely energizing and motivating to come back in and be your finest.”
The Yankees are hoping that Davis will help fill a necessity at their infield corners. First baseman Anthony Rizzo fractured his proper arm on Sunday in Boston, prompting New York to name up rookie catcher/first baseman Ben Rice, the membership’s No. 12 prospect in line with MLB Pipeline.
The 25-year-old Rice had 5 hits in 17 at-bats (.294) coming into Tuesday. Supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned he doesn’t see a straight left-right platoon between Davis and Rice, including that he expects to provide Rice some begins in opposition to left-handed pitching.
The Mets are beginning southpaws David Peterson and Sean Manaea within the Subway Sequence, and the Yanks can even see lefty Yusei Kikuchi later this week in Toronto.
“I’ve appreciated Rice’s at-bats,” Boone mentioned. “I feel he’s held his personal. It is a robust draw for him this week, however I don’t wish to run him on the market in opposition to each lefty his first two weeks within the huge leagues.”
This season, Davis has a .795 OPS in opposition to lefties, going 9-for-34 (.265) with a double and two homers. He mentioned that he additionally expects to see a while at third base and designated hitter.
“In case you carry out effectively, Boonie says you possibly can earn extra taking part in time,” Davis mentioned. “Proper now I’m simply making an attempt to get snug, get my rhythm again and get my timing again.”
This spells a return to New York for Davis, who performed for the Mets from 2019-22.
“I had fun right here. I had a good time,” Davis mentioned. “I really like the followers, I really like the media. I really like the eating places, I really like the tradition right here. I feel my time over right here was hindered with the harm I had, the surgical procedure [to repair a left hand ligament].
“With so many shifting elements, so many GMs, so many managers, so many various opinions on what core group we must always follow – I feel it was only a enterprise determination to let me go.”
A .259 profession hitter over elements of eight huge league seasons, Davis was launched by the Giants on March 11, then signed with Oakland 5 days later.
He’s incomes $2.5 million this season, with one other $1 million in potential incentives.
“I’m excited. I’m motivated,” Davis mentioned. “I felt good these final couple of days with the A’s. I felt like I used to be taking part in effectively, and it’s solely a matter of time.”
