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Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone supplied reporters, together with Greg Joyce of The New York Post, with an replace right now relating to DJ LeMahieu. The infielder fouled a ball off his proper foot just lately and Boone says LeMahieu has a “fairly vital” bone bruise and gained’t be taking part in via it in the intervening time. With Opening Day now simply over every week away, it’s unclear if LeMahieu will probably be prepared in time.
LeMahieu, 35, is coming off a irritating season. He didn’t go on the injured record final yr however did battle via quad and calf soreness whereas hitting .243/.327/.390 for a wRC+ of 101. Simply over a month in the past, Boone was enthusiastic about LeMahieu’s improved well being on the opening of camp. “He’s simply extra explosive to me,” Boone stated, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Sadly, there now could also be a snag in seeing that explosiveness within the common season.
Even when LeMahieu misses some early time within the season, it might not be a lot. Opening Day injured record stints may be backdated by three days, so he would possibly solely miss every week if he’s placed on the 10-day IL. It’s nonetheless a state of affairs value monitoring because it may go away them with a short lived gap at third base.
LeMahieu is slated to be the membership’s on a regular basis choice on the scorching nook, with Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo filling out the remainder of the infield. The membership was trying to bolster its veteran infield depth, having just lately been related to gamers like Enrique Hernández and Amed Rosario, although these gamers have now signed with the Dodgers and Rays, respectively.
The plan with signing both of these two would have concerned Oswald Peraza getting optioned to the minors for normal reps, able to be recalled for extra common taking part in time if an harm occurred. That gained’t be an choice now as Peraza himself obtained injured by struggling a shoulder strain that may shut him down for six to eight weeks.
Because it at the moment stands, the Yanks have Oswaldo Cabrera, Jahmai Jones and Jorbit Vivas as depth infielders on their roster. Cabrera had an thrilling debut in 2022 however hit simply .211/.275/.299 final yr. Jones was simply claimed off waivers three weeks in the past whereas Vivas has not but made his main league debut and was optioned to Triple-A after right now’s sport. Gamers like Josh VanMeter, Jeter Downs and Kevin Smith are in camp as non-roster invitees although every of them has struggled towards large league pitching.
The tip of Spring Coaching often shakes a number of gamers free, as roster selections are made across the league. As an illustration, veteran infielder Josh Harrison simply opted out of his minor league take care of the Reds after being knowledgeable he wasn’t going to make the staff. The Yankees may flip to Harrison or another participant within the coming days in the event that they really feel they want an additional physique to cowl for a LeMahieu absence.
Infielders like Donovan Solano and Evan Longoria stay unsigned. The Yankees are going through a 110% tax on any addition to their payroll at this level, as a third-time payor that’s over the fourth line of the aggressive stability tax, however these guys gained’t require big sums to place pen to paper. The place participant market has seemingly collapsed in latest weeks, with gamers like Hernández, Rosario, Gio Urshela and others signing for lower than $5MM in assured cash.
Finally, the larger concern is perhaps the season-long efficiency, versus any week-long absence. The 2023 Yankees have been hampered by well being issues, as Aaron Judge was solely capable of play 106 video games resulting from IL stints whereas veterans like LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo struggled whereas coping with numerous illnesses.
Well being is already within the highlight for the Yanks as ace Gerrit Cole is about to overlook vital time resulting from an elbow concern. Even earlier than that state of affairs cropped up, they knew they have been going to wish some bounceback campaigns from these veterans. They may subsequently wish to make sure that LeMahieu is as wholesome and productive as attainable, which is maybe why Boone is now suggesting he gained’t be taking part in via this concern. The membership might have to look to options at third base till LeMahieu is again to being explosive once more.
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