Has DJ LeMahieu played his last game with the Yankees? Breaking down his murky future
NEW YORK - DJ LeMahieu’s status remained a question Tuesday, following “unclear’’ MRI results on his right hip, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
The manager said he “wouldn’t necessarily’’ rule out the possibility of LeMahieu’s return before the regular season ends Sept. 29, but “I wouldn’t count on it.’’
LeMahieu was abruptly placed on the injured list Monday, due to a hip impingement.
No further medical tests were planned, and the club and player are now deciding “what’s the best course of action’’ for LeMahieu moving forward.
Even in the best of scenarios, it wouldn’t appear that LeMahieu has any claim to a Yankees postseason roster.
Further, it’s not a stretch to wonder if LeMahieu might have played his last game as a Yankee, despite having two guaranteed years at $30 million total remaining on his six-year contract.
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A former two-time batting champ, LeMahieu is a popular figure in the clubhouse, and there might be a role mainly as a backup first baseman in 2025, depending on the roster’s construction.
Mostly, it’s just another awful conclusion to a season for LeMahieu, who hasn’t been on a Yankees’ playoff roster since 2020, due to a sports hernia, ligament damage to his right big toe, and now a hip issue.
The anticipated Yankees’ regular leadoff hitter on Opening Day, LeMahieu fractured a bone in his right foot, fouling off a pitch late in spring training and his 2024 has spiraled ever since.
LeMahieu failed to gain any traction offensively, batting .204 with a .528 OPS in 67 games.
There was a brief note of optimism on July 31, at Philadelphia, when LeMahieu belted a grand slam and had a career-best six RBI game in a 6-5 win against the Phillies.
But by then, LeMahieu was essentially replaced at third base by the trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the recent returns of Anthony Rizzo and Jon Berti from the IL have ended any further route to playing time.
LeMahieu hasn't played since Sept. 3, at Texas, when he started at first base and committed an eighth inning error, losing a high bounding grounder in the lights during the Rangers' late, 7-4 comeback win.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: DJ LeMahieu injury could mean end of Yankees tenure
