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Yankees lose key infielder to lower-body injury
David Frerker-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are poised to welcome DJ LeMahieu back from a lengthy rehab assignment, providing a timely boost to their roster. Unfortunately, their resurgence has been dampened by a new setback, as veteran infielder Jon Berti sustained a calf injury during Friday night’s victory over the San Diego Padres.

Berti’s Untimely Injury

Berti’s injury occurred in a dramatic moment when he collapsed to the ground after hitting a ground ball in the ninth inning. This injury follows a previous groin issue that sidelined him earlier this season. Despite these setbacks, Berti has been a valuable asset for the Yankees, stepping up in LeMahieu’s absence.

“Just grabbed on him out of the box,” Boone said. “We’ll see what we have. I’m sure we’ll get imaging and all that, but obviously the way he walked off, looked like it got him pretty good.”

The 34-year-old Berti has been contributing well this season, batting .273 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .327 slugging percentage, which includes one home run and six RBIs, along with four stolen bases. While not a power hitter, Berti’s speed, which is in the 95th percentile, and his defensive skills at third base have been crucial, especially given past defensive struggles at the position.

Yankees Nearing a LeMahieu Return

In a fortunate turn of events, LeMahieu’s rehab assignment progressed to Triple-A on Saturday, signaling that his return to the major league lineup is imminent. His comeback will significantly bolster the Yankees’ batting order, particularly the lower half, offering more stability and experience.

The team hopes Berti’s calf injury will not sideline him for an extended period, allowing him to resume his role in the lineup swiftly. In the meantime, LeMahieu’s return is eagerly awaited as the Yankees strive to maintain their competitive edge.

This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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