"I'm just making sure I'm ready and confident” - DJ LeMahieu ready for Yankees return after second successful rehab game
The New York Yankees are awaiting reinforcements at third base as DJ LeMahieu gets closer to his major league return. LeMahieu, who went down with a broken right foot injury in March, finished his second rehab assignment playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
LeMahieu had six at-bats over two AAA appearances, during which he was walked twice. After the RailRiders game, reporters asked DJ LeMahieu if he was ready to face a major league pitcher.
"I mean, I always wanna get hits, and I wanna play my position," LeMahieu said. "But physically, just making sure I'm ready and confident in everything, and definitely accomplished."
LeMahieu was happy to get some fielding reps at the minor league game before he once again became the Yankees' everyday third baseman.
Earlier this week, Aaron Boone told reporters that they are expecting DJ LaMahieu to make his return to the lineup on May 28, Tuesday, in a game against the LA Angels on the road.
Moreover, Boone also mentioned LeMahieu playing at the hot corner once again, taking over the roles of Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera. To work him up, the Yankees may give him some off days initially, but once settled, he will be the everyday third baseman.
Where will DJ LeMahieu bat with leadoff spot taken by Anthony Volpe?
Ahead of the start of the season, Yankees manager Aaron Boone informed fans that DJ LeMahieu would be hitting the leadoff spot this season.
However, his injury led the Yankees to use Gleyber Torres to lead the lineup. With Torres not doing well there, he was replaced by Anthony Volpe at the top of the lineup, and since then, the 23-year-old has cemented his position.
Now that DJ LeMahieu is returning, questions arise about whether he will bat leadoff. The chances are slim given the way Volpe is hitting; it will be hard to replace him. Volpe is hitting .282 and has complemented well the next few batters coming with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
Keeping that in mind, chances are LeMahieu gets to play at the cleanup spot, which is currently manned by Alex Verdugo. The batting order will likely drop from fourth down, with each dropping by a position.