Yankees’ Lance Berkman Lands On Disabled List With Ankle Injury

Yankees designated hitter Lance Berkman, who sustained a sprained ankle on Sunday, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. The team had previously hoped that Berkman would be able to pinch-hit on a short-term basis.

The 34-year-old Berkman was acquired from the Astros just before this year's trade deadline and has run into a bit of a slump ever since, going only 7-for-44 as the Yankees' designated hitter. Since leaving the lineup, the Yankees have instituted something of a platoon at DH, having penciled in Nick Swisher, Marcus Thames, and Jorge Posada over the past three games.

Barring a major skid, the Yankees appear to be playoff-bound regardless of whether they can beat out the Rays for the A.L. East title, but home-field advantage in the postseason would be especially valuable given their 39-21 home record. Tied with the Rays in the standings, and with a nearly identical run differential, the Yankees will need every plate appearance they can get out of Berkman -- provided, of course, he can break out of his slump.