WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — There has not been a setback, however DJ LeMahieu’s return has been barely delayed.
The rehabbing infielder has not been in a position to play consecutive video games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to climate problems.
The unique plan referred to as for LeMahieu to play Tuesday and Wednesday earlier than a doable activation to start the collection in opposition to the A’s.
As a substitute, Tuesday’s recreation was rained out — as had been SWB video games each Thursday and Friday.
If LeMahieu can play Saturday and Sunday, he can be in line to be activated throughout the collection in Seattle that begins Monday.
In seven video games with Double-A Somerset and SWB, LeMahieu has gone 9-for-19 with two walks, a house run and a double. The early returns have “definitely” been encouraging to Aaron Boone.
“The biggest thing I want is for him to be able to establish a role,” the supervisor mentioned earlier than the Yankees’ 10-2 series-opening win over the A’s at Sutter Well being Park. “The best-case scenario is he returns to being the batting champion. But there’s everything from in between that, too, whether it’s a real factor against lefties, the ability to still really defend. We’ll just kind of see.”
LeMahieu performed in 67 ineffective video games final 12 months due to hip and foot issues.
The 36-year-old lasted simply two Grapefruit League at-bats earlier than struggling a left calf pressure that has sidelined him since early March.
Throughout his rehab project, he required a cortisone shot in his hip that Boone referred to as a “preemptive” measure.
The Yankees are hopeful LeMahieu can hit, however in addition they are simply hoping he can keep wholesome.
“The biggest thing is how he recovers and bounces back and can he do it over and over again — that’ll be the question,” Boone mentioned. “I think he’s pretty optimistic about how he’s feeling. I think the last month, month-plus has been a pretty good ramp-up for him, as far as how he’s feeling.”
The Yankees, who’re down Jazz Chisholm Jr., might use prime LeMahieu.
When he returns, he possible would play loads of second base and push out Jorbit Vivas, Oswald Peraza or Pablo Reyes.
Towards Osvaldo Bido, a righty with reverse splits, Boone selected to take a seat lefty Cody Bellinger.
Trent Grisham led off and performed heart whereas Ben Rice served as DH and Jasson Domínguez, who hit three homers within the win, performed left discipline.
“I kind of got five or six guys for five or four spots,” Boone mentioned.
Austin Wells additionally acquired a time without work after taking part in all three video games in opposition to the Padres.
J.C. Escarra caught Will Warren.
Wells is anticipated to start out Saturday.
The Yankees’ first go to to the capital of California, a form of purgatory for the nomadic A’s, additionally was the primary time Boone — a local of the state — noticed Sacramento.
“First impression of it is really good,” mentioned Boone, who went out to dinner within the metropolis along with his teaching workers Thursday night time. “Really haven’t been here long enough to really have too big of an opinion on it, but my first impressions are good.”
