Jon Berti continues rehab with Somerset. When will he return to Yankees?
BRIDGEWATER – On the surface, the results of Yankees infielder Jon Berti’s home debut for his Major League rehabilitation assignment with the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night might make it appear as though there’s still plenty of work to do.
Out since the April 11 with a right groin strain that forced him to the injured list, the 34-year-old went 0-for-2 at the plate with a stolen base and two walks, while playing seven innings of the team’s 3-2 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
In reality, however, the way things unfolded were the perfect way for him to get a true test of where he’s at physically, as he faced several tough defensive chances, had to run out a ground ball and really got to test the injury in stealing that base in the first inning.
“That was good,” said Berti, who began his rehab with Somerset on the road in Reading on Sunday.
“First game, obviously good to just get out there again and get some at-bats, but I didn’t really do a whole lot of running. So, today was a lot better to try to test the legs a little bit and see where we’re at, so I’m feeling good.”
A career .258 hitter at the big-league level in seven seasons with the Blue Jays, Marlins and now the Yankees, Berti emphasized that a lot of this process is simply wanting to see a lot of pitches in an effort to get his rhythm and timing back at the plate before an eventual return to the Bronx.
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When might that be? Berti said he isn’t quite sure, and that he’s taking things day-by-day, but he’s anxious to get back after getting to play in just six games before going down with the injury.
“Coming to a new team, new organization – you never want to get hurt regardless – but the timing of it wasn’t fun,” he said. “It is what it is, and I’ve kind of moved past that and have tried to do my best to rehab and get ready as soon as I can. … it was fun playing with those guys and winning when I was available and healthy. Watching on TV now is not as fun, but when we’re winning, it’s always fun.”
Acquired from the Marlins by the Yankees on March 27, Berti was looked upon to be a versatile piece, but one who would mostly fill a hole at third base. It’s a role he’ll likely return to, and one he’s finally had some time to wrap his head around after a whirlwind few months of both his career and personal life.
“We had a baby in early February, and then went through spring training and got traded the day before the season,” Berti said. “It’s been just a wild few months, but in my career, it’s been a lot of ups and downs and seeing a lot of things. So, just have to keep working day-by-day and keep doing the best you can.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: When will Jon Berti return to Yankees?
