Jon Berti shines in debut at first base while Yankees’ plans unclear

Not much went right for the Yankees in Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Royals in Game 2 of the ALDS.

In some ways, maybe the guy playing a position he’d never played before was the highlight.

Anthony Rizzo’s absence with two broken fingers in his right hand has created something of a revolving door at first base for the Yankees at the most critical time of the season.

After initially starting with Oswaldo Cabrera in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals, Aaron Boone chose Jon Berti for Game 2.

Berti entered Monday having never played the position in a game as a professional.

“I have a good feeling about him, just like I do about Cabrera,” Boone said before the game. “Jon is a really good infielder and really did well with the work he did there this week. “He’s athletic.”

Despite the defeat, Berti was excellent throughout.

He helped end the fourth by making the cutoff throw from the right, entangling Maikel Garcia in a rundown.

And Berti was even more influential in the sixth, with runners on the corners and one out, pinch-hitter MJ Melendez ripped a liner down the line that Berti caught and turned into a double play to end the inning.

“I’m doing my best to learn and be an athlete,” Berti said after the game. “I felt good overall. I don’t expect it to be perfect. I’m just trying to be a baseball player and I’ve been feeling pretty comfortable.”

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Berti also extended the bottom of the ninth with a single to right.

It’s unclear whether Berti will get another start initially, as Boone didn’t rule out rookie Ben Rice getting time there during the series after the converted catcher spent extended time there over the summer.

“Part of it is (Rizzo) getting hurt two days before the end of the (regular) season,” Boone said. “That put us in a bit of a bind in terms of the squad.”

Cabrera did well there on Saturday, taking a nice throw into the dirt from shortstop Anthony Volpe and crediting Rizzo for working with all three of his potential backups.

Berti was acquired from the Marlins in a three-team trade late in spring training to replace DJ LeMahieu, who began the year with a foot injury.

But Berti suffered a groin strain less than two weeks into the regular season and was out for more than three months with a calf strain after returning in early May.

Before this season, Berti had played every position except first base and catcher.

Boone said Berti played a few spring training games there early in his career.

“I just feel like he deserves to be in there,” Boone said of Berti. “If we go far this (postseason), he’s going to play a big role for us. He had a really good week of work there.”

The manager also pointed to Berti’s speed and his skills with the bat when making his decision.

Because of injuries, he made only 74 plate appearances for the Yankees this season, but was productive at the plate for the Marlins a year ago, with an .804 OPS against lefties.

“He is a really talented infielder and brings an asset to our lineup,” Boone said. “It made a lot of sense.”