On a day that resulted in defeat, there was not a extra encouraging sight for the Yankees than the reappearance of the two-time batting champion that they had not seen in a very long time.
In some methods actually: This was DJ LeMahieu’s first sport in The Bronx since Aug. 25 of final yr.
In some methods much less actually: LeMahieu tallied his first multihit sport of the season and launched his first dwelling run in his third sport of the marketing campaign after hitting simply two homers in 67 video games final yr.
Maybe this was merely a blip in a protracted, prolonged downturn for an oft-injured 36-year-old, nevertheless it didn’t take lengthy for the veteran infielder to remind of his résumé and sign that there is likely to be extra for him to supply.
LeMahieu impressed defensively, despatched hard-hit balls throughout the ballpark (together with one which left the ballpark) and easily regarded, as soon as once more, like DJ LeMahieu throughout a 3-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday.
“He looks like he’s got a little chip on his shoulder,” mentioned Clarke Schmidt, who was charged with two runs in six innings partly as a result of LeMahieu helped cease a possible Mets rally after Schmidt exited within the seventh. “He just looks fresh, looks like he’s got his legs under him. It’s refreshing to see.”
Activated this week from a calf pressure — the newest illness for a participant who has collected them — LeMahieu has come off the injured record hitting.
Within the third inning, he received below a Griffin Canning 94.8 mph fastball — important for a bat that had struggled to catch as much as warmth in latest seasons — and lifted it over the quick porch in proper for his first homer since July 31.
The Machine broke character in pumping his fist coming round first base — “Probably too much emotion,” LeMahieu mentioned — and returned to a dugout that was crammed with smiles.
“Felt good to play at Yankee Stadium again in front of these fans and obviously a big series,” mentioned LeMahieu, who had been activated in Seattle and has felt robust within the very beginnings of an tried comeback that at occasions had not appeared potential.
After a number of foot and toe points haunted him for years, he regarded like a shell of himself final season earlier than being shelved with a proper hip impingement.
This yr he didn’t survive one Grapefruit League sport, struggling the calf pressure in his spring debut.
However after a prolonged buildup and rehab project, LeMahieu has proven indicators of turning again the clock.
There was the house run, and the only by way of the center that left his bat at 100.5 mph, plus one other hard-hit floor out.
There additionally was a 106.6 mph bullet with the bases loaded within the eighth inning that was spectacular in each side however goal, despatched proper to Juan Soto in proper subject.
“Really encouraging to see him just have that level of at-bats in his first few outings here,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “He was phenomenal today.”
“I feel like I’m finding my rhythm pretty quickly,” LeMahieu added.
The Yankees have an actual want for the time being at second base (with Jazz Chisholm Jr. harm) and for the season at third base (unsettled even earlier than Oswaldo Cabrera’s fractured ankle), which a wholesome LeMahieu may clear up.
There’s far an excessive amount of season left to declare he may help, however he at the least confirmed he has the power to assist if wholesome.
Each on the plate and within the subject.
His sliding, backhanded play to retire Francisco Lindor helped the Yankees escape a jam within the seventh.
“He’s always been a great fielder,” Boone mentioned. “The injuries have taken him off the field, [but] he’s never not been outstanding in the field. … That’s who he is. He’s an elite defender.”
