DJ LeMahieu Exits Yankees Rehab Game Early Due to Foot Soreness

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu left his first rehab game early with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday night after just one at-bat due to recurring soreness in his right foot. LeMahieu, who has been sidelined with a non-displaced fracture in his right foot since March 16, struck out in his only plate appearance before exiting the game in the second inning.

The Yankees announced that LeMahieu will return to New York on Wednesday to be re-examined by the team physician. Manager Aaron Boone did not provide much of an update, other than stating that LeMahieu came out of the game "feeling something" in his foot.

Prior to Tuesday's rehab game, LeMahieu had been ramping up his workload over the past few weeks and was expected to potentially rejoin the Yankees next week in Baltimore. However, this latest setback raises concerns about his recovery timeline and ability to return to the lineup in the near future.

Why this matters: LeMahieu's prolonged absence has tested the Yankees' depth this season, and his veteran presence has been missed in the infield. The team will now anxiously await further evaluation of his foot to determine the extent of this setback and how it may impact their plans moving forward.

The Yankees have been adamant about not rushing LeMahieu's return, aiming to avoid a scenario where he plays through an injury that could linger, as a right foot issue hampered his performance in the second half of the 2022 season. In LeMahieu's absence, Oswaldo Cabrera has been starting at third base for the Yankees this year.

LeMahieu, a two-time batting champion, struggled in the first half of last season before a strong second half. He finished the 2023 campaign with a career-low.243 batting average and 15 home runs in 136 games. The Yankees will continue to exercise caution with the 35-year-old infielder's rehab, prioritizing his long-term health as they navigate the challenges of the 2024 season.

Key Takeaways

• DJ LeMahieu left 1st rehab game early due to recurring foot soreness.
• LeMahieu will be re-examined by Yankees' team physician on Wednesday.
• This setback raises concerns about LeMahieu's recovery timeline and return.
• LeMahieu's prolonged absence has tested Yankees' depth this season.
• Yankees prioritizing LeMahieu's long-term health as they navigate 2024 season.