NEW YORK — The Yankees acquired an experienced corner infielder on Sunday, acquiring J.D. Davis and cash from the Athletics in exchange for infielder Jordan Groshans.
Davis, 31, appeared in 39 games with Oakland this season playing first and third base and batting .236 (29 for 123) with four home runs and five RBIs. The Athletics designated Davis for assignment on June 18.
The Yankees are looking for help on the corners of the infield. After first baseman Anthony Rizzo broke his right arm Sunday at Boston, New York recalled rookie catcher/first baseman Ben Rice, the team’s No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The 25-year-old Rice was 5-for-17 (.294) on Sunday.
The Yankees also rotate between DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera at third base. Davis should be in the lineup for Tuesday’s Subway Series opener, which will mark his return to Citi Field for Davis, who played for the Mets from 2019-2022.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he envisions using Rice primarily as the first baseman with Davis as one half of a right-handed hitting platoon, noting Davis’ solid performance against left-handed hitters (.779 career OPS). The Mets plan to start lefties David Peterson and Sean Manaea against the Yankees this week.
“Hopefully he can come in and give us a little boost, especially against left-handed pitching,” Boone said. “We have a couple of injuries and hopefully he can give us a little boost and be a part of helping us win some games.”
Davis, who batted .259 in eight major league seasons, has already been released twice this season: He signed a major league contract with the Giants in February, was released on March 11 and signed with Oakland five days later.
Davis will make $2.5 million this season and could receive an additional $1 million in incentives.
He played for the Giants last season, batting .248/.325/.413 (105 OPS+) with 23 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs and 69 RBIs in 144 games. He has previously played for the Astros (2017-18), Mets (2019-22), Giants (2022-23) and Athletics (’24).
Grosshans, 24, played for Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. In 50 games, he batted .232/.310/.280 with five doubles, one home run and 15 RBIs.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees placed right-hander Nick Burdy on the 60-day disabled list.
