Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided reporters, including Greg Joyce of The New York Post, with an update today regarding DJ LeMahieu. The infielder fouled a ball off his right foot recently and Boone says LeMahieu has a “pretty significant” bone bruise and won’t be playing through it for the time being. With Opening Day now just over a week away, it’s unclear if LeMahieu will be ready in time.
LeMahieu, 35, is coming off a frustrating season. He didn’t go on the injured list last year but did battle through quad and calf soreness while hitting .243/.327/.390 for a wRC+ of 101. Just over a month ago, Boone was excited about LeMahieu’s improved health at the opening of camp. “He’s just more explosive to me,” Boone said, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Unfortunately, there now may be a snag in seeing that explosiveness in the regular season.
Even if LeMahieu misses some early time in the season, it may not be much. Opening Day injured list stints can be backdated by three days, so he might only miss a week if he’s put on the 10-day IL. It’s nonetheless a situation worth monitoring as it could leave them with a temporary hole at third base.
LeMahieu is slated to be the club’s everyday option at the hot corner, with Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo filling out the rest of the infield. The club was looking to bolster its veteran infield depth, having recently been connected to players like Enrique Hernández and Amed Rosario, though those players have now signed with the Dodgers and Rays, respectively.
The plan with signing either of those two would have involved Oswald Peraza getting optioned to the minors for regular reps, ready to be recalled for more regular playing time if an injury occurred. That won’t be an option now as Peraza himself got injured by suffering a shoulder strain that will shut him down for six to eight weeks.
As it currently stands, the Yanks have Oswaldo Cabrera, Jahmai Jones and Jorbit Vivas as depth infielders on their roster. Cabrera had an exciting debut in 2022 but hit just .211/.275/.299 last year. Jones was just claimed off waivers three weeks ago while Vivas has not yet made his major league debut and was optioned to Triple-A after today’s game. Players like Josh VanMeter, Jeter Downs and Kevin Smith are in camp as non-roster invitees though each of them has struggled against big league pitching.
The end of Spring Training usually shakes a few players loose, as roster decisions are made around the league. For instance, veteran infielder Josh Harrison just opted out of his minor league deal with the Reds after being informed he wasn’t going to make the team. The Yankees could turn to Harrison or some other player in the coming days if they feel they need an extra body to cover for a LeMahieu absence.
Infielders like Donovan Solano and Evan Longoria remain unsigned. The Yankees are facing a 110% tax on any addition to their payroll at this point, as a third-time payor that’s over the fourth line of the competitive balance tax, but those guys won’t require huge sums to put pen to paper. The position player market has seemingly collapsed in recent weeks, with players like Hernández, Rosario, Gio Urshela and others signing for less than $5MM in guaranteed money.
Ultimately, the bigger concern might be the season-long performance, as opposed to any week-long absence. The 2023 Yankees were hampered by health problems, as Aaron Judge was only able to play 106 games due to IL stints while veterans like LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo struggled while dealing with various ailments.
Health is already in the spotlight for the Yanks as ace Gerrit Cole is set to miss significant time due to an elbow issue. Even before that situation cropped up, they knew they were going to need some bounceback campaigns from those veterans. They will therefore want to make sure LeMahieu is as healthy and productive as possible, which is perhaps why Boone is now suggesting he won’t be playing through this issue. The club may need to look to alternatives at third base until LeMahieu is back to being explosive again.
On a good note, Rodon looked spectacular today.
But can he play 3B? Pretty cool watching Joe Torre take Rodon out of the game.
Haha, doesn’t mean Cashman won’t try. It was awesome. He got a great ovation when he exchanged the lineup cards at the beginning too. Brought back some great memories.
Yes Clipper.Would like to see more of him around here.
Doc, you think we will feel the same way after Boone’s been gone for 15 years? Lol….
Shocked. Shocked I tell you. That is what I am.
Haha Clipper, that’s a No.
DR2020
Yes Clipper.Would like to see more of him around here.
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When people complain that MLB doesn’t market its young stars, I often think that it is our old stars that we should be marketing.
A lot of the stars from 1950-1970 have passed on, But if I were they NYY, or the RS, for example, I’d have personal services contracts with guys like Torre and Yaz. Of if I were any team, I’d pay Willie Mays $50k or so to show up for a single game.
He’s going to need to step up big time for us this year Clipper.
And a sidenote, with mr. Cole down for at least two months, are they going to really roll the dice for the number five pitching slot with a bunch of prospects, we treads and journeyman. That could be the season story, right there. at this point, I do not expect a Snell, I know the deal, but a competent number five starter would be welcome.
I thought Cashman said they were all in this year, they’re not acting like it now.
Yeah, I agree with you and I’m not holding my breath for a competent pitcher. I fully see Cashman’s plan being Weaver. Same as when they repeatedly went after RH hitters, even when they had a full lineup of righties. I don’t know the answer at this point, but overpaying for a short-term contract on Monty or Snell is probably the best option – albeit a highly unlikely one.
Right. I’ve heard some chatter about Lorenzen or Bieber,What say you?
I think Beiber may be the best option depending on the return asked for him. I’m not very high on Lorenzen for a “championship” team rotation. At least Beiber is a formidable career frontline starter.
Plus, after his down years, his numbers have been trending in the right direction.
I definitely see a Lorenzen-type signing, if any.
Cleveland is already short on pitchers. I don’t think Bieber has ever been on the blocks
Guys! Lorenzen would be filling in for a short term injury, not pitching game 2 of the WS. If he’s pitching well, he stays in the rotation. If not, Cole takes his spot.
EVERYONE, not just the NYY, need guys in the 4/5 slot that can help get you to October. Then you hope for the best.
The reds pirates cubs and tigers do not. Those are just 4 off the top of my head. Giants prob won’t come Sept/Oct. Miami use to not too lol
Seeing Joe Torre go out there to make the pitching change was spectacular. Great moment Clipper.
Actually that was pretty sad. The guy fell asleep at the wheel squandered opportunity and is still getting his a$$ kissed. Torre steps on the NYY field and DJ is injured. And they NYY wonder where all their bad luck comes form. NYY has to stop living in the past.
@*78iq
Heaven forbid fans enjoy seeing a former manager who was part of 4 World Series titles with the franchise make an appearance during a spring training game.
78iq, you make some good points, despite your IQ. I enjoyed seeing Torre, and would like to see more of him actually.
And I would rather see what he could do with our bullpen, rather than Boone. But, alas, we have Boone, c’est la la la vie.
rip
Hopefully this won’t be another lingering injury that plagues DJ throughout the season again. Also really unfortunate for Peraza to be injured right now when a golden opportunity presents itself
“Hopefully this won’t”..I think we both already know it will, because most of the Yankees highest paid players are well past their (prime)expiration dates. D.J or Giancarlo haven’t made it thru a full season in years.
DJ quietly had a productive second half last year once he finally got healthy so there was some hope. Stanton looks to be in great shape so I also have some hope for him this year. We’ll see how it goes
I was at the game today, Ronk. Rodon’s pitches were audibly snapping the mitt the whole game. He looked fantastic – easy gas.
But, also watching Vargas live was very encouraging. He had very, very good defense at SS.
Rodon was very encouraging today. They really need him to step up, especially while Cole is out. Vargas has always flashed strong defense and speed but I don’t think he’s ever going to hit well enough to play in the big leagues
Liked “lingering injury”. That’s a fair assessment of state of the overall roster here in recent years.
Thanks for the Rodon report. When he’s healthy, IMO, he can pitch at that TOR level.
The two lingering injury guys that I’m more curious about than the rest are Rizzo and Judge. AR with the tricky back and concussion issues. AJ already feeling mud season discomforts. Oof.
Even before the Cole injury, the Yankees chances were compromised because their best players are in serious decline and extremely injury prone. This probably even includes the somewhat fragile superstar Aaron Judge.
He’s fragile, very fragile
Post prime = fragile & injury prone.
Just another Trashman retread of older and slower. Reminds me more of the old 65 to 66 Yankees off the injured list!
The inevitable question arises: If the Yankees could do the DJLM contract all over again, would they?
Just exemplifies the void in the Yankees farm system at 3B…….I would guess that Smith will now be the short term answer with a longer term answer if DJ’s injury is months instead of weeks, to come…..
Never a dull moment for the Yankees. This is exactly why, since day one of the Off-season I wanted Chapman for 3B. Yankees are getting older at a few key spots.
Chapman is so overrated I would not want him for the money he was looking for. Sure he’s great defensively, but he hasn’t put together a solid offensive season since he was with the A’s
Good pass for the Yankees…still need to develop some farm talent though at 3B….
If they had signed Chapman, they’d be even older.
Probably, and that’s *not* a good look. His ABs are yucky. OTOH, Cabrera hit the ball hard today, so that’s good.
Come on man…Cabrera has a swing too much like Volpe last year….and he’s a sucker for inside and low when he bats lefty…..not the answer regardless of hitting the ball hard today….
Wasn’t implying Cabrera was the answer. He has to prove he can make contact and drive the ball consistently first. I was simply noting that he hit the ball hard in today’s game.
The Yankees do not have a viable 3B solution, imo, without trading for someone. I don’t think that’s happening though. Donovan Solano can hit, depending on what they’re looking for.
Another thing they could’ve addressed in the off-season, and relatively cheaply I might add, to wit, urshella.
Apparently, Steinbrenner, spent all of his allowance money, on Soto. and as it was before, Mr. Cole got injured, we had hundreds of innings that were going to have to be filled in by replacement level or worse players. Now there could be more innings. Once again, they just taking the crapshoot approach they shouldn’t have bothered, wasting the money on Soto, if they weren’t going to build a good team around him .
Second verse, same as the first
Yeah Doc, I’m not sure what the logic was. Perhaps Cashman defaulted to his well-known “wait and re-evaluate” methodology? The problem, as usual, is that he typically settles for a lesser product while paying more money, thereby defeating his own purpose. I do like some moves he made this year, but others not so much.
I don’t get it either, my friend. When I was listening to him, he genuinely seemed to want to bring a championship to the Bronx this year, and not just for the sake of Steinbrenner but the players also.
He just seems to be always woefully, unprepared, for the inevitable injuries. it appears to me that he has reached his expiration point, just like the players ,and the days of him being a good GM, if they ever existed, are long gone. He appears to be behind the times, and just unable to manage the, let’s face it, large amounts of money that his boss is giving him yearly.
I have a stop-gap option for you guys at third base…his name is Brian Anderson, played last year with the Brewers but before that steady 3B for Marlins for five years. Having a good spring with Seattle but we have two third basemen already…get Cashman on the phone with Dipoto.
I hope he survives the bruise. He’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
You’d be better off saving your thoughts and prayers for Stanton, you know we’ll be hearing about his injury anytime now
Looks at the roster depth and nope nope and nope as I’ve stated all offseason.
I don’t think he’s got much left, but I’d love to see Longoria on this team before he retires. Wouldn’t cost much to have him fill in at third if DJ is hurt and probably make for a good bench bat. Otherwise Harrison makes more sense.
Longo would need to take the Joey Votto route and I’m not sure if he’s got much to offer anymore. Even if he can manage to be ready and fill in during DJ’s possible absence, they’ll need to release Longo after DJ is back. For those reasons, Longo won’t sign here.
No the answer even short term….
I would rather see them get pitching honestly. I wonder what treasures Cashman is hoarding from the dumpsters he has been searching through.
Josh Harrison or Donovan solono would be a good add for the Yankees while they wait for DJ to get back. Their offensive profile are quite similar, even though their defense isn’t all that great. I’d honestly go with solono though as he had a decent year with the bat compared to josh and actually better than dj. Id go with those options over Longoria because they are more versatile as well.
Solano should be on the table, Yankees wanted a utility player so he’d be s good option.
that’s a good point. Longoria sounded intriguing but he’s ice cold from not being in spring straining; by the time he’s ready to go DJ should be back. Lots of injuries around the league and really pumps up the thought ‘players are working out too much” i’m 42 years old and back in the 90’s there was no pandemic of pulls and strains. Anyhoo I second Jay Harrison as he’s ready to go but it might be hitting the panic button a bit as all teams have injuries to their starters.
Maybe its not too late to bring back Donaldson.
Get Brian Anderson from the Mariners; he will be a decent stopgap and has had a decent spring. Should only cost $$ or PTBNL.
That’d be a good one too!
Lemahieu is in the 9th inning if u know what i mean
DJL when healthy is better at filling in at multiple positions during the week. DJL starting 3B and leadoff hitter not the answer. Volpe needs to be leadoff hitter.
i dont believe a 209 avg and 283 obp is who the yanks need leeding off.volpe is an 8 or 9 hitter until he can prove me wrong.hes no gunner henderson period,
Stop the nonsense please! Cabrera is going to play 3b for a few extra days according to Boone but at least this ends any debate about Volpe as he will be the leadoff hitter and hopefully permanently. If DJ has another dreadful season I hope Yankees consider moving DJ to a bench role as IF depth and possibly consider Vivas or Peraza as their new 3B or pick up a free agent for 2025. Yankees need to stop signing players past their age 35 season cause most players washed up padt that age.
Hardly dreadful. League average looks much worse when your team is struggling. Especially when your production isn’t from homers/rbi. It’s hardly his fault the team around him underperformed. If anything that decent production in an injury prone season is reason for optimism. Then again he’s a year older.
Vivas has about 30 Ab’s in his entire career at 3rd…doubt he’s the answer there….Peraza has an open door to audition at 3rd but he needs to be back in the lineup as a regular ASAP….
Peraza is injured so Cabrera is the best present option to play 3B.
Cabrera has been given too many chances and has proven he’s way not offensively there…..they have other gloves that offer options….Smith should be the short term answer for now…..depending on how long DJ is out….could be other changes to come….
NYY an enigma. Not sure if they will be very good or somewhat mediocre
Probably in between. Average. Not really an enigma to me. Just not that good but decent. The Padres are an enigma.
They’ll most likely battle injuries all season and that’ll keep in the playoff hunt. Outside of Baltimore, I’m not sure if any AL East team improved so the lack of competition will play up for them too. I think they just miss the playoffs
Toronto & Tampa are going to be meh.
I miss the Bronx Bombers. Nowadays, they’re just the Bronx Bummers.
LoL. Yes definitely a Bummer. Yankees been spiraling downward ever since they traded for Stanton when Harper was available the following Off-season
Yankees always sacrificing for the now and it’s finally caught up w em
“pretty significant” bone bruise.
Wow, impressive detail.
it’s unclear if LeMahieu will be ready in time.
There we go, back to same old same old.
Unfortunately, yes. I’m just waiting to hear that Stanton is injured again.
At least, this time we are prepared, with a sub, 200 hitting no power outfielder
Just tear it all down and rebuild after Soto walks.
They haven’t had an under .500 season in 30 years and a sit atop MLB with a $7B+ valuation. Why start next season to tank your business?
Is this what we call news now in the baseball world?
TBY
A starting player’s availability for the beginning of the season
Yes, that seems worthy of the digital ink. Your comment on the other hand…
Josh Donaldson is available
He starting to look better, every day.Not!
still can’t believe they could have had urshela for 1.5M
Pretty stupid in retrospect, and even at the time, do not acquire him for infield depth, at least. And he’s a known quantity, he did quite well for them when they had him for nothing practically.
For people who are bummed out, the Yankees will be fine, especially if a few things break their way this year imo. I have no doubt they will get to the postseason.
Where I have concerns is the ability to get to the World Series, or beat the Astros. That is another matter.