DJ LeMahieu says he’s ‘excited to play again’ ahead of weekend rehab games

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Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu returned to Double-A Somerset on Thursday evening for his second game of a rehab assignment, continuing to work his way back from a left calf strain that sidelined him for most of spring training. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.

DJ LeMahieu continues rehab assignment, looks ready for Yankees return.

DJ LeMahieu, 36, is expected to play five innings again, with additional appearances lined up for Saturday and Sunday. If all goes according to plan, he’s hoping to build up to nine innings over the weekend.

A strong start to rehab

In his rehab debut on Tuesday night, DJ LeMahieu looked sharp at the plate and comfortable in the field. The veteran infielder went 3-for-3, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. He ripped an opposite-field double down the right-field line in his first at-bat and launched a slider over the center-field wall for a home run in his second plate appearance. He added a single and played five innings at second base before being pulled.

“Physically felt really good today,” LeMahieu said after the game. “Tested [the calf] with running, defense, getting out of the box… it was a good day.”

Ramp-up plan in progress

Speaking Thursday ahead of his second rehab game, DJ LeMahieu said the plan was to continue ramping up gradually. “Felt good physically, timing was good at the plate,” he said. “It’s just good to be playing baseball again.”

He’s slated to play again Saturday and Sunday, and if his body responds well, he expects to stretch his outings into full nine-inning games soon. “Probably today, Saturday and Sunday,” LeMahieu said of the current schedule.

A veteran among prospects

During his brief stint in Somerset, DJ LeMahieu has had a chance to reconnect with some of the organization’s younger talent. The Yankees’ veteran infielder said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with players coming up through the system — players in the same shoes he once wore.

“Seems like a good group of guys,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know a few of them through being down in Tampa or at big league camp. So I’m familiar with quite a few of them. But it’s been fun playing alongside them for a bit.”

Watching from afar, ready to contribute

DJ LeMahieu admitted that being away from the Yankees during the opening stretch of the season hasn’t been easy. But now that he’s nearing full health, his mindset has shifted to helping the team — soon.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I don’t have my set schedule or anything, but when the time’s right, I’m ready to go. Just excited to play baseball again.”

Last season, LeMahieu was limited to just 67 games due to injury, batting .204 across 228 at-bats. A healthy return could provide a key boost to a Yankees infield that’s still searching for stability and consistency.

Focused on the return

While the exact date of DJ LeMahieu’s return to the Yankees remains unknown, all signs point to it being sooner rather than later. With a smooth rehab debut behind him and more work ahead this weekend, the former batting champion is trending in the right direction.

“I want to be out there,” Dj LeMahieu said. “I want to be healthy and helping the team. When I can’t do that, it’s frustrating. But there’s a lot of season left, and hopefully I can be a part of it.”

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