DJ LeMahieu’s race against the clock came up short.
The Yankees veteran third baseman will start the season on the injured list, general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday in Tampa, due to the significant bone bruise on his right foot from fouling a ball off it on March 16.
LeMahieu had been trying to ramp up his workload over the past few days in an attempt to be ready for Thursday’s Opening Day in Houston, but the pain and swelling was not fully subsiding and the Yankees did not want him trying to play through it.
Without LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to fill in at third base, barring a late external move ahead of Opening Day.
The Yankees can backdate LeMahieu’s IL stint three days, meaning he could potentially return in time for the home opener on April 5.
But that will depend on how much progress LeMahieu makes over the next week.
He is also expected to get another MRI later this week after all his initial tests came back negative.
The 35-year-old LeMahieu had tried to play through a right foot injury late in 2022, which sapped his production and created issues that carried into the first half of last season.
The Yankees were encouraged by what they had seen from a healthy LeMahieu early in camp, with Aaron Boone pointing to his explosiveness, but that has now been tempered by his return to the IL.
As we enter the 2024 MLB season, the unfortunate news of DJ LeMahieu’s injury has left the New York Yankees without their veteran third baseman. With Opening Day just around the corner, the team had hoped that LeMahieu would be able to recover in time, but the significant bone bruise on his right foot proved to be too much to overcome. Instead, LeMahieu will begin the season on the injured list, leaving a void in the Yankees’ lineup.
For the Yankees, this means shifting their plans and finding a replacement at third base. Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to fill in temporarily, but there is still a possibility that the team could make a late external move to strengthen their roster before Opening Day. The Yankees have the option to backdate LeMahieu’s IL stint, which means he could potentially return in time for the home opener on April 5. However, this will depend on how quickly LeMahieu is able to heal and regain his strength.
LeMahieu’s injury is a setback for the Yankees, who were hopeful that he would continue to perform at a high level this season. The 35-year-old infielder had tried to play through a right foot injury in the past, which ultimately affected his productivity and carried over into the previous season. Despite that, the team had seen promising signs from a healthy LeMahieu during spring training, with manager Aaron Boone praising his explosiveness. Unfortunately, the return of his injury now puts a damper on those expectations.
Looking ahead to the future, the implications of LeMahieu’s injury extend beyond just the Yankees’ lineup. It raises questions about the team’s depth and their ability to perform without one of their key players. It also brings attention to the importance of player health and the challenges of preventing and recovering from injuries in a physically demanding sport like baseball.
Furthermore, LeMahieu’s injury serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in sports. The Yankees had high hopes for the upcoming season, with aspirations of competing for a championship. However, with their starting third baseman now sidelined, they will need to adapt their game plan and rely on their depth to fill the void.
In conclusion, DJ LeMahieu’s injury is a significant blow to the New York Yankees as they prepare for the 2024 MLB season. The team will need to adjust their lineup and make strategic decisions to compensate for his absence. It also raises important discussions about player health and the challenges that injuries can pose in a competitive sports environment. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Yankees and their ability to overcome this setback and continue their pursuit of success.