Yankees acquire JD Davis in trade with A’s

NEW YORK – The Yankees added an experienced infielder Sunday, acquiring JD Davis and cash considerations from the Athletics in exchange for infielder Jordan Groshans.

Davis, 31, was hitting .236 (29 for 123) with four homers and five RBIs in 39 games for Oakland this season, appearing defensively at first and third base. The A’s designated Davis for assignment on June 18.

The Yankees were looking for help on the inside corners. First baseman Anthony Rizzo broke his right arm Sunday in Boston, prompting New York to call up rookie catcher/first baseman Ben Rice, the club’s No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Rice, 25, had five hits in 17 at-bats (.294) in Sunday’s action.

The Yanks also platooned DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera at third base. Davis is expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday’s Subway Series opener, which means a return to Citi Field for Davis, who played for the Mets from 2019-2022.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he plans to use Davis primarily as the right half of a platoon with Rice at first base, noting that Davis has posted solid numbers against lefties (.779 career OPS) . The Mets are expected to start lefties David Peterson and Sean Manaea against the Yanks this week.

“I hope he can come in here and give us a little spark, especially if I put him in there against a left-handed pitcher,” Boone said. “Just where we are, a few less injuries, hopefully he can be a little shot in the arm and be a piece to help us win a few games.”

A career .259 hitter over eight big league seasons, Davis has already been released twice this season. He signed a Major League contract with the Giants in February before being released on March 11, then signed with Oakland five days later.

Davis makes $2.5 million this season, with another $1 million in potential incentives.

He played last season with the Giants, hitting .248/.325/.413 (105 OPS+) with 23 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 69 RBIs in 144 games. He has previously played with the Astros (2017-18), Mets (2019-22), Giants (2022-23) and A’s (’24).

Groshans, 24, played this season at Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 50 games, Groshans was hitting .232/.310/.280 with five doubles, a home run and 15 RBIs.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved right-hander Nick Burdi to the 60-day injured list.