DJ LeMahieu‘s return to the Yankees remains uncertain, but manager Aaron Boone suggested Saturday that it could happen sooner than initially anticipated.
According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Boone revealed that LeMahieu has resumed light baseball activities, including hitting off a tee in recent days. This marks a step forward for the two-time batting champion, who has been sidelined since the start of September.
Boone’s cautious optimism
Two weeks ago, Boone expressed doubt about LeMahieu returning before the regular season finale on Sept. 29. While he didn’t rule out the possibility, Boone tempered expectations, saying, “I wouldn’t count on it.” Now, with LeMahieu’s progress, there’s renewed hope that he might see game action before the postseason.
LeMahieu was abruptly placed on the injured list earlier this month due to a nagging hip impingement. His absence has been a blow to the Yankees’ lineup, as the team has struggled with depth and consistency in his absence.
With a postseason berth already locked in, the Yankees’ magic number to clinch home-field advantage has dropped to four, helped by the Orioles’ loss to the Tigers on Saturday night. DJ LeMahieu’s potential return could be a timely boost for a team looking to gain momentum heading into October.
DJ LeMahieu entered the 2024 season as the Yankees’ anticipated regular leadoff hitter, but his year took a sharp turn in spring training. A fractured bone in his right foot, sustained from a foul ball, sent his season into a downward spiral. Since then, he’s struggled to regain his form.
In 67 games this season, DJ LeMahieu has posted a disappointing .204 average with a .528 OPS, far below his career norms. His inability to get going offensively has limited his impact on the Yankees’ season.
Despite his struggles, DJ LeMahieu had a standout moment on July 31 in Philadelphia. He hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six RBIs in a 6-5 victory over the Phillies. Unfortunately, that performance proved to be an outlier in an otherwise frustrating season.
By the time of his July heroics, DJ LeMahieu had already lost his starting third-base job to newly acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. With Anthony Rizzo and Jon Berti recently returning from the injured list, LeMahieu’s chances for regular playing time diminished further.
With LeMahieu now working his way back, the Yankees are hopeful his experience and versatility will come into play as they prepare for a deep postseason run.
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