Davis makes Yankees debut in familiar spot: 'It's pretty surreal'

NEW YORK -- This has been an eventful week for J.D. Davis, who now finds himself making his Yankees debut in the Subway Series against one of his former clubs, just a few days removed from baseball limbo after being designated for assignment by the Athletics.

Given the uncertainty of his previous situation, Davis is thrilled for this opportunity, which begins on Tuesday with the 31-year-old batting sixth and playing first base in the Bombers’ lineup against the Mets at Citi Field.

“The Subway Series is a big deal for New York,” Davis said. “It’s kind of unreal because it was just last week that I didn’t really have a job, and all of a sudden I’m back here in New York. It’s pretty surreal.”

Davis went 0-for-3 in his Yankees debut, watching the Mets hang on for a 9-7 victory.

The Yankees acquired Davis from the A’s along with cash considerations on Sunday in exchange for Minor League infielder Jordan Groshans.

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

“It’s exciting to go from a team that was just sub-.500 to a team that’s going for a division, going for a pennant, and always looking to win a World Series,” Davis said. “Whenever you’re part of that, it’s only energizing and motivating to come in and be your best.”

The Yankees are hoping that Davis can help fill a need at their infield corners. First baseman Anthony Rizzo fractured his right arm on 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.

The 25-year-old Rice had five hits in 17 at-bats (.294) entering Tuesday. Manager Aaron Boone said he does not see a straight left-right platoon between Davis and Rice, adding that he expects to give Rice some starts against left-handed pitching.

The Mets are starting southpaws David Peterson and Sean Manaea in the Subway Series, and the Yanks will also see lefty Yusei Kikuchi later this week in Toronto.

“I’ve liked Rice’s at-bats,” Boone said. “I think he’s held his own. This is a tough draw for him this week, but I don’t want to run him out there against every lefty his first two weeks in the big leagues.”

This season, Davis has a .795 OPS against lefties, going 9-for-34 (.265) with a double and two homers. He said that he also expects to see some time at third base and designated hitter.

“If you perform well, Boonie says you can earn more playing time,” Davis said. “Right now I’m just trying to get comfortable, get my rhythm back and get my timing back.”

This spells a return to New York for Davis, who played for the Mets from 2019-22.

“I had a good time here. I had a great time,” Davis said. “I love the fans, I love the media. I love the restaurants, I love the culture here. I think my time over here was hindered with the injury I had, the surgery [to repair a left hand ligament].

“With so many moving parts, so many GMs, so many managers, so many different opinions on what core group we should stick with – I think it was just a business decision to let me go.”

A .259 career hitter over parts of eight big league seasons, Davis was released by the Giants on March 11, then signed with Oakland five days later.

He is earning $2.5 million this season, with another $1 million in potential incentives.

“I’m excited. I’m motivated,” Davis said. “I felt good those last couple of days with the A’s. I felt like I was playing well, and it’s only a matter of time.”