TRENTON – Yankees utility man Lance Berkman will join the Thunder for a two-game rehab stint starting with tonight’s game against the Akron Aeros.

Berkman, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 19 with a sprained right ankle suffered in a game against the Detroit Tigers, was acquired just before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.

The Yankees sent reliever and former Thunder pitcher Mark Melancon, as well as Low-A shortstop Jimmy Paredes to Houston to complete the deal.

The first baseman did some light running before today’s game with the White Sox. The ankle held up, and the Yankees made the call to assign him to Trenton, one of just two affiliates playing at home tomorrow. The other option was the Charleston RiverDogs, but their distance from New York makes sending him there less than desirable.

Berkman’s arrival could give a much-needed boost to a lineup that has struggled mightily over the last week. Over their last six games entering yesterday, the Thunder have averaged just more than two runs a game. They scored three or fewer runs in five of those six contests.

Before going on the shelf, the switch-hitting Berkman was hitting .179 with four RBIs with the Yankees. With his numbers from Houston thrown in, he’s at .237 with 13 longballs and 53 RBIs over 97 games.

This will be the Thunder’s second rehab assignment this season. The first one, of course, was right-hander Alfredo Aceves, who made four rehab appearances in Trenton before moving up to Triple-A.

The last time a Yankees hitter joined the Thunder was last year, when Jose Molina joined the team for three games. He went hitless with two walks over nine plate appearances.

John Maine also made a rehab appearance at Waterfront Park as a member of the Binghamton Mets.