**AL East Updates: Berti, Leonsis, Orioles, Holliday, Rays**

Jon Berti was the only player from the Yankees’ ALCS roster not included in the World Series lineup, primarily due to health issues rather than strategy. Manager Aaron Boone shared with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch and other media that Berti sustained a flexor strain in his right hip while running the bases during Game 4 of the ALCS. Berti came into that game as a pinch-runner for Anthony Rizzo, scored the game-winning run, and played second base in the ninth inning.

“Unfortunately, he ran out of time to recover,” Boone said. “That’s a setback for us. I feel for him because he played a crucial role, especially in the earlier rounds.”

With Rizzo out due to two broken fingers until the ALCS, Berti unexpectedly became the Yankees’ starting first baseman for two games in the ALDS against the Royals and again in Game 3 of the ALCS. Despite being a super-utility player for seven Major League seasons, he had never played first base before this playoff run. Now, Berti must watch as his teammates try to recover from an 0-1 deficit in the Series after a painful walkoff loss.

In other AL East news…

Ted Leonsis expressed interest in purchasing the Orioles when the Angelos family put the team up for sale, according to a profile by Rick Maese in the Washington Post. As the owner of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards, Leonsis was a top candidate to buy the Nationals when the Lerner family considered selling in April 2022, although they later decided to keep the team. Leonsis reaffirmed his interest in the Nationals if they ever become available and likely explored the possibility of acquiring the Orioles as well.

Jackson Holliday, the Orioles shortstop, found success by incorporating a toe tap into his swing late in the 2024 season. He shared with Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun that he plans to continue using this technique next season. Although he had occasionally used the toe tap in high school, he revisited it while experimenting in the batting cage and found it comfortable. Holliday struggled initially in the big leagues, hitting only .189/.255/.311 with 69 strikeouts in his first 208 plate appearances, largely due to a significant leg kick in his previous swing. While it’s too early to determine if this adjustment will pay off, he remains an exciting prospect as the first overall pick in the 2022 draft.

MLBPA head Tony Clark informed reporters, including Evan Drellich from The Athletic and Bob Nightengale from USA Today, that the union has yet to hear from the league regarding the Rays’ future playing situation after Hurricane Milton caused substantial damage to Tropicana Field. Assessments of the damage are ongoing, and since the Rays will need a new home for at least the beginning of the 2025 season, several interim locations have been proposed. Clark noted that while the union isn’t involved in the facility decisions or relocation, they will consider how these moves impact players, especially if safety is at risk. Ensuring that any new ballpark meets Major League standards is crucial, with various minor league stadiums and Spring Training sites being evaluated for the Rays.