MLB

Time for Yankees sub Nix to show his knack

DETROIT — If it weren’t for two of the most significant injuries in Yankees history, Jayson Nix may have remained virtually anonymous in New York.

Instead, he will be remembered as the guy whose batting-practice foul ball Mariano Rivera was running down when he tore his ACL in Kansas City in May, and then the guy who took over at shortstop when Derek Jeter fractured his ankle in the playoffs.

All that from a journeyman who signed a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training last November to potentially back up All-Stars like Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

“One reason I chose to come to sign here, obviously, was the Yankees expressed a lot of interest in me and a strong interest in me and came after me pretty hard, so I saw that as a good thing,” Nix said yesterday during a conference call. “But also, there could be an opportunity. I didn’t know for sure if there was, or if there would be with all of the big names … and established guys that are here.”

After spending time as Rodriguez’s backup when the third baseman fractured his hand earlier in the year, now Nix is set to start Game 3 of the ALCS with the Yankees in a 2-0 hole against the Tigers.

“I am very disappointed for Derek,” Nix said. “I hate the fact he has gone down, and especially with this opportunity to play in these playoffs. I know it’s hard on him. That part I hate it for him.”

Still, Nix is enjoying the chance to play. He came up with two hits — including a double — when he started Game 4 against the Orioles in the ALDS, but went 0-for-3 against Detroit in Sunday’s Game 2.

“Ever since these playoffs started, I’ve really just been kind of itching to get in these games,” Nix said. “And I knew most [likely] I wasn’t going to start many games, or I didn’t know how much I was going to play, but I really just wanted to be in the games.”

dan.martin@nypost.com