Yankees’ Jon Berti draws first career start at first base for ALDS Game 2 vs. Royals

Anthony Rizzo’s absence with two fractured fingers in his right hand has caused a bit of a merry-go-round at first base for the Yankees — and it comes at the most critical time of the season.

After going with Oswaldo Cabrera at first in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals, Aaron Boone tabbed Jon Berti for Game 2 on Monday in The Bronx.

While Cabrera was making just his fifth major league start in the majors at first, Berti entered Monday having never played the position in a game as a professional.

“I feel good about him, like I do with Cabrera,’’ Boone said. “Jon is a really good infielder and really looked the part with the work he did there this week. He’s athletic.’’

And Boone didn’t rule out rookie Ben Rice getting time there during the series after the converted catcher saw extended time there over the summer.

“Part of this is [Rizzo] getting hurt with two days left in the [regular] season,’’ Boone said. “That put us in a little bit of a bind roster-wise.”

Cabrera did well there on Saturday, making a nice scoop of a throw in the dirt by shortstop Anthony Volpe and credited Rizzo with working with all three of his potential fill-ins.

Berti was acquired from the Marlins as part of a three-team trade late in spring training to fill in for DJ LeMahieu, who began the year out with a foot injury.

But Berti went down with a strained groin less than two weeks into the regular season and after returning in early May, was lost for over three months with a calf strain.

Prior to this season, Berti had played every position besides first base and catcher.

Boone said Berti played some spring training games there earlier in his career.

“I just feel like he deserves to be in there,’’ Boone said of Berti. “If we’re gonna go long in this [postseason], he’s gonna play a big role for us. He had a really good week of work over there.”

The manager also noted Berti’s speed and bat-to-ball skills as part of his decision.

He had just 74 plate appearances for the Yankees this season due to the injuries, but was productive at the plate for the Marlins a year ago, with an OPS of .804 against lefties.

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