Yankees’ John Bertie makes his first career start at first base versus the Royals

Yankees' John Bertie makes his first career start at first base versus the Royals

John Bertie got his feet wet at first base in practice last week, but now he’s pitching into Game 2 of the ALDS.

The Yankees’ Bertie will start at first base on Monday against the Royals for the first time in his career.

Oswaldo Cabrera started there in the first game, with veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo not appearing on the roster due to a broken finger, and the outfielder looked good defensively.

John Bertie will start at first base for the Yankees on Monday night in ALDS Game 2 against the Royals. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Conn

But the Yankees are changing it up for Game 2 against lefty Cole Ragan.

Bertie, who has started games at third base, second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions in his career, previously played first base in spring training but had never played in the regular season or playoffs until Monday.

“I was really pleased with what I saw from him [during workouts last week]Aaron Boone said Saturday. “He’s obviously a talented player, but I feel like that – and he’s played there a little bit in the past in spring training games and things like that. But he seemed, despite the practice, very comfortable to me, as I would have liked. So I’ll think about it.”

The start at first base would be the first of John Bertie’s career. Photos by Carrie Edmondson-Imagine

Boone had previously indicated he wanted to have mostly left-handed hitters in the lineup against Ragans, who has reverse splits, but instead took one out (Cabrera is a switch hitter) to hit Bertie right-handed.

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