The Yankees give Jon Berti his pro debut at 1B in ALDS Game 2

NEW YORK – Forced to use substitutes after Anthony Rizzo's injury, the New York Yankees used Jon Berti at first base in his professional debut at the position in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone also said he selected Clarke Schmidt instead of Luis Gil to start Game 3 in Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Acquired from Miami just before Opening Day, Berti posted a .273 batting average in 25 games and 66 at-bats for the Yankees this year while playing second, third and left-handed.

“He looked outstanding over there,” Boone said. “He’s played a little bit in spring training over the years, but he’s just a really gifted infielder and just a person that I have a lot of confidence in.”

Berti's only spring training game initially came in the final three innings when Miami played Washington on March 25, 2021. He caught third baseman Joe Dunand's throw on Jordy Mercer's grounder in the eighth inning for his only putout.

With Rizzo sidelined by two broken fingers, Oswaldo Cabrera started first in the Yankees' 6-5 Game 1 win on Saturday.

Rookie Ben Rice, who initially played while Rizzo was sidelined with a broken right forearm from mid-June to August, was another option on the Yankees' roster.

Kansas City started left-hander Cole Ragans in Game 2. Berti hit .259 in 27 at-bats against lefties this year, while Cabrera hit .190 (15 for 79) and Rice hit .135 (5 for 37).

“With Riz obviously leaving a day before the end of the season, it’s not ideal. From a first base perspective, we’re not necessarily in that perfect situation,” Boone said. “So I'm going to combine it all over there, and obviously Cabby did a great job, just like I felt in Game 1. And I kind of have the same confidence with Jon.”

Rizzo was injured by a hit from Pittsburgh's Ryan Borucki on Sept. 28 and hopes to be back when the Yankees advance to the League Championship Series.

Schmidt, a 28-year-old right-hander, will follow Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón in the rotation, with Cole starting for Game 4 in the best-of-five series and Rodón starting for Game 5. A 28-year-old right-hander, Schmidt was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts and missed time between May 26 and September 7 due to a right lat strain.

“I think this is a great opportunity and something that I've been looking forward to and kind of hoping for,” Schmidt said.

Gil, a 26-year-old rookie right-hander, was 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA. He struck out .171 in 151⅔ innings but led the major leagues with 77 walks.

Schmidt said Boone told him about the decision on Sunday.

“It just feels like he’s the right guy for this game,” Boone said. “I have a lot of confidence in what they both bring to the table and as we move forward, hopefully Luis will find himself back in the rotation as well.”