LeMahieu carries Yankees to victory, proves he is ‘onto something’

DJ LeMahieu’s Wednesday performance in Philadelphia suggests he is not finished yet.

The struggling infielder, given a rare start on Wednesday, delivered his most impressive game of the season in a 6-5 victory over the Phillies, driving in a career-high six runs. This precedes a vote of confidence for LeMahieu from general manager Brian Cashman.

LeMahieu’s standout moment came in the top of the second inning when he launched a grand slam off Philadelphia’s left-handed pitcher Christopher Sanchez. This marked only his second home run of the season. He further bolstered his performance with a two-run double in the sixth inning against right-hander Jose Ruiz.

When questioned about his future role, LeMahieu expressed a wait-and-see attitude, emphasizing his commitment to continued hard work and perseverance.

LeMahieu revealed that he had used his time away from the starting lineup to focus on additional batting practice. He believes this extra effort may have led to a breakthrough, though he cautioned against overconfidence, acknowledging it was just one successful outing.

“It’s just one good game,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens. Just got to keep working. Keep fighting.”

Prior to the game, Cashman had acknowledged LeMahieu’s recent difficulties, noting that the player was working diligently to overcome his slump, “He has struggled, he’s fighting through it.”

Indeed, LeMahieu’s struggles had been significant. Before this game, he had managed only two hits and three walks in his previous 37 plate appearances. His slugging percentage stood at a mere .216 before his home run, which was confirmed after a video review and gave the Yankees an early 4-0 advantage.

LeMahieu admitted to his recent challenges at the plate but expressed optimism about his performance that day. He indicated a sense that he might be on the verge of a turnaround in his form.

“It’s been a tough go for me,’’ the infielder said. “Today definitely felt good. I feel like I’m onto something.”

LeMahieu has Yankees backing

DJ LeMahieu’s season has been marred by a non-displaced foot fracture, which has significantly impacted his offensive performance. This slump is particularly concerning given his contract, which extends through 2026 and is valued at over $30 million.

General Manager Brian Cashman expressed belief in LeMahieu’s latent offensive capabilities, suggesting that with perseverance, the player could potentially overcome his current struggles. Cashman acknowledged his professionalism and the unpredictable nature of when and how a turnaround might occur, but emphasized that the veteran still has a role to play as he works through this challenging period.

“I think it’s in there,” the Yankees GM said. “There’s opportunity for him to grind through it. I know he’s a pro. No one can predict the future when and where and how. I know he’s searching for it. I think there’s a role for him to play while we’re going through it.”

Cashman also highlighted LeMahieu’s improved performance toward the end of the previous season, noting an .812 OPS over his final 44 games, despite an overall disappointing year.

The GM reflected on LeMahieu’s efforts to regain his form, lamenting that just as progress seemed imminent, another injury setback occurred. Cashman expressed sympathy for LeMahieu’s situation, recognizing the frustration of injuries derailing what had appeared to be a promising resurgence following an impressive spring training.

“I thought he did a lot of work to get himself back in a place that would allow him to be closer to what we’re used to seeing on the offensive profile and another injury hit,’’ Cashman said. “I can’t speak to where he’s at and how close he can be. I know he’s doing what he needs to do. I feel disappointed for him and the fact injuries have derailed what looked like a relaunch of getting him back on track after having a great spring.”

Manager Aaron Boone addressed the question of increased playing time for LeMahieu, expressing hope for more opportunities and improved performance. He noted the strong play of Ben Rice against right-handed pitchers and the added complexity in infield assignments due to the arrival of another player (referred to as “Jazz”).

Despite these factors, Boone remained optimistic about finding an effective combination that would allow LeMahieu to contribute.

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