DJ LeMahieu’s return delayed again, Yankees set to get Devin Williams back Friday

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DJ LeMahieu still hasn’t taken a live at-bat since straining his left calf in the Yankees’ spring opener on March 1. But on Thursday, manager Aaron Boone offered a timeline — and a reality check.

“He’s probably about a week away from getting live at-bats,” Boone said. “It’s going to be a pretty big build-up. I’d want him to have a spring training.”

That means even once LeMahieu begins facing live pitching again, his return to the Yankees’ lineup won’t be immediate. Boone wants the veteran infielder to go through a full ramp-up — as if it were February all over again.

Boone taking no chances with LeMahieu’s build-up

Boone’s comments on Thursday signal a deliberate approach. The Yankees aren’t simply waiting for LeMahieu to feel better — they’re preparing to give him the space and time to go through a complete baseball restart.

The 36-year-old exited the Yankees’ March 1 Grapefruit League opener in his second at-bat after feeling tightness in his left calf. It was his first appearance of the spring.

LeMahieu later described the setback as “discouraging” and admitted it felt like a bad joke. Still, he remained optimistic.

“I know I’ve got something to give to this team,” he said.

Devin Williams expected back Friday in Pittsburgh

While the Yankees wait on LeMahieu, another key piece is set to return. All-Star closer Devin Williams, who has been on the paternity list since Tuesday, is expected to rejoin the team Friday in Pittsburgh for the series opener against the Pirates.

“Devin Williams (paternity list) is expected to rejoin the Yankees tomorrow in Pittsburgh,” Boone confirmed Thursday, as first reported by team insider Bryan Hoch.

Williams missed the final game of the Arizona series to experience a life milestone — the birth of his child. It’s a moment the Yankees have fully supported, even if his absence left a temporary void in the bullpen.

In Williams’ absence, the Yankees planned to lean on Luke Weaver for ninth-inning duties. But their only real save opportunity came Tuesday — and it got away from them before Weaver ever entered the game.

They surrendered a lead in the eighth inning while holding Weaver for the ninth, a strategy that never materialized into a save chance. Boone didn’t fault the pitchers. It was simply a situation where the moment got away before the plan could play out.

Williams, acquired this offseason from the Brewers in a blockbuster deal for Nestor Cortes and prospect Calen Durbin, is a vital part of the Yankees’ World Series aspirations.

He’s only made one appearance so far — Opening Day against his former team — and while it wasn’t clean, it got the job done. Williams allowed a run on two hits and a walk but recorded two strikeouts and earned the save.

If there were any doubts about that shaky debut, his track record erases them. Williams owns a 1.87 career ERA and posted a dominant 1.25 ERA in an injury-shortened 2024 season.

This season is a pivotal one for Williams. He’s a free agent after the 2025 campaign, and how he performs in the Bronx could shape both his future and the Yankees’ postseason hopes.

The organization bet big on him this winter. Now, with the Pirates series ahead, they’re counting on him to anchor a bullpen that looked vulnerable at times last year.

Thursday’s news delivered both clarity and uncertainty for the Yankees. LeMahieu’s return remains weeks away, at minimum, but Boone’s transparent update sets expectations. On the other side, Devin Williams is on the verge of rejoining the team, bringing back one of baseball’s most dominant late-inning arms just in time for a challenging road trip.

There’s no question the Yankees are better with both players healthy. But only one of them will be in uniform Friday.

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