DJ LeMahieu hits HR, double in rehab game as Yankees eye return

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DJ LeMahieu wasted no time making an impact in his return to the field. Playing for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday, the 36-year-old went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle in his first rehab game. He also played five innings at second base.

DJ LeMahieu impresses in first rehab game with Somerset

Batting second in the Patriots’ lineup, DJ LeMahieu lined an RBI double to right field in his first at-bat to open the scoring. In the second inning, he launched a two-out homer to right-center off Evan Shawver, showing flashes of the power that made him a key piece of the Yankees’ lineup in recent years. He capped off the night with a single in the fourth, a sharp comebacker that deflected off pitcher Alex Barger.

After the game, LeMahieu told reporters he plans to play again on Thursday, then log full games over the weekend. “The calf feels good,” he said, offering an encouraging update on the injury that’s kept him sidelined since early spring.

LeMahieu’s early-spring injury — a strained left calf suffered after just two at-bats in Grapefruit League play — opened the door for Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. Along with Jorbit Vivas, the trio had been competing with LeMahieu for infield time, particularly at third base.

If LeMahieu continues to swing the bat like he did Tuesday and gets enough minor-league reps in, he could be a candidate to return before May. The Yankees have not set a firm timeline but are expected to reevaluate after this weekend’s slate of games.

He’ll be looking to turn the page on a tough 2024 season, when he slashed just .204/.269/.527 across 67 games. LeMahieu hit only two home runs and recorded five doubles in a year disrupted by multiple injuries.

Giancarlo Stanton takes next step in elbow rehab

While LeMahieu shined in Somerset, Giancarlo Stanton checked off a major box in his rehab process in Cleveland. According to NY POST, the Yankees’ designated hitter took batting practice on the field Tuesday for the first time since camp, signaling his gradual return from tendinitis in both elbows.

“I don’t usually hit on the field all the time, so I’ve been hitting inside,” Stanton said. “Pop out here, get a feel for what my work is inside and build that way.”

The 35-year-old has also resumed running and described his current workload as a “makeshift spring training.” Though no date has been set for his rehab assignment, Stanton is expected to begin facing live pitching soon — a key step before rejoining the big-league roster.

Despite being sidelined, Stanton has remained close to the team. He traveled with the Yankees to Cleveland this week instead of staying back at the team’s player development complex in Tampa. The reason, according to Stanton, was to stay locked into the team’s rhythm.

“Keep a long schedule, keep in the meetings, in the routines, practice time, so I can just flow in and it won’t be anything different schedule-wise at least [when I return],” he said.

Stanton also stepped up as a vocal leader during the Yankees’ early struggles. After the team avoided a sweep at home against the Diamondbacks, Aaron Judge noted that Stanton had addressed the team before the game — reminding them to protect their home field.

“It’s the only way I can contribute now, so yeah, it’s important,” Stanton said. “I feel I must do it to stay engaged. And any info or messages or help I can give the guys, [I will].”

Ben Rice helping fill Stanton’s shoes

With Stanton on the shelf, rookie Ben Rice has helped steady the Yankees’ offense. The lefty-hitting DH returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing a few games with an elbow contusion. Through 20 games, Rice is slashing .288 with five home runs and a .988 OPS.

“It’s been amazing,” Stanton said. “Even his outs are hard outs. Knowledgeable approach overall. … I definitely saw spurts of this [last year]. The difference now is putting it together over a stretch of days and weeks.”

As LeMahieu and Stanton inch closer to rejoining the team, the Yankees may soon have a deeper, more experienced lineup — and more decisions to make.

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