DJ LeMahieu hopes for a return during the home series against the Red Sox in September. He is on the injured list after a toe inflammation.
When the Yankees put LeMahieu on the injured list, Aaron Boone was worried that the veteran might not come back this season.
But things seem to be going in the right direction now. The 34-year-old could come back as soon as September 22, when the Yankees start their next homestand against Red Sox.
According to him:
“Yeah, I anticipate coming back. That’s my plan to return during next homestand, and our plan. We haven’t picked a set date yet but we think sometime during next homestand.”
Around the time of the All-Star break, LeMahieu got a cortisone shot in his toe. He played 37 games after the break and hit .226/.305/.336 before being put on the injured list. The Yankees’ utility man’s career batting average of .297 showed that something was wrong.
LeMahieu told:
“It hurts just to turn on my back foot and swing. It got so bad that I couldn’t even turn around.”
LeMahieu also said that there are no plans for surgery right now because it would be “tough” to do. During the upcoming road trip, which starts in Boston on Tuesday, the plan is to start doing more baseball.
RIZZO RELIEF
On Saturday, Anthony Rizzo went back to the Yankees’ dugout. The first baseman had to stay in bed because an epidural to treat back pain gave him headaches. Rizzo got a blood patch, which made his symptoms go away right away.
Manager Boone informed:
“I think there’s some relief in his face and in his eyes. The procedure he got the other day kind of gave him that immediate relief. It was immediate, he said it was amazing. He got the procedure and it was literally right away.”
Boone also said that Rizzo will start doing his usual core exercises on Sunday. Rizzo hasn’t played since Aug. 30, when he hit his 30th home run of the season against the Angels. This season, the 33-year-old has missed several games because of back problems.
Somerset Superstars
On Sunday, several Yankees players were getting better with the Double-A Somerset Patriots. Harrison Bader had a second hit. In his first game with the team, he went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. During the next home stand, the Gold Glove center fielder is likely to go to the Bronx.
On Sunday, Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, and Miguel Castro also went to Hartford.
Chapman threw one inning in which no runs were scored. He struck out three batters and walked just one.
Boone said on Saturday that Chapman would make a “couple” of appearances in the minors while he was healing from an infected tattoo.
During his rehab appearance, Britton got two strikeouts and got the other team out in order. The southpaw started his rehab assignment on August 23, and no one knows when he will be back with the big league team. Britton has been out since August 2021 because he had surgery on his Tommy John. He is now getting back in shape.
Castro is getting better from a shoulder strain. The three Yankee relievers didn’t let anyone on base more than once.
Will LeMahieu be back in time for the Red Sox series? If not, who should take his place?
