DENVER — DJ LeMahieu returned to his previous stomping grounds Friday, hoping to faucet again into some previous magic whereas attending to hit in elevation.
And whereas the Yankees’ veteran infielder had not gotten a lot in the way in which of leads to his first eight video games since getting back from a calf pressure that price him the primary six-plus weeks of the season, he was inspired by how he felt bodily and within the batter’s field.
“I feel comfortable,” LeMahieu stated earlier than going 0-for-2 with a stroll within the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Rockies at Coors Area. “Feel like I’m hitting the ball hard and like I’m seeing the ball pretty well. Just want to keep it rolling.”
The underlying metrics again up that declare, as LeMahieu entered Friday with a median exit velocity of 93.8 mph and an anticipated batting common of .282.
He hit a pair of groundouts Friday, one coming off the bat at 94.5 mph, as he dropped to 4-for-21 on the season.
Extra encouraging has been the way in which he has seemed within the subject at second base — although he may very well be headed again to 3rd as soon as Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns from the IL — with supervisor Aaron Boone saying LeMahieu is “probably” transferring higher than he has the previous couple of years.
“But again, I feel like when he’s been out there, he’s been moving fine in the past,” Boone stated. “It’s just the challenge of keeping him out there. Feel like he’s in a good place right now physically and he’s been bouncing back pretty well. Hopefully, that continues for us with him playing a big role.”
When the previous Rockie returned to Coors Area for the primary time as a customer two years in the past, LeMahieu went 6-for-13 and used it as a springboard for a robust second half.
He entered Friday having hit .330 with an .835 OPS in 437 profession video games right here.
“I mean, yeah, I miss hitting here every day,” LeMahieu stated with a chuckle. “Not as easy on the body, but good place to hit, for sure.”
Chisholm Jr. (indirect pressure) and Giancarlo Stanton (tennis elbows) remained in New York this weekend to proceed their respective ramp-ups, with the potential for each to move to Tampa subsequent week to take dwell at-bats. It stays to be seen whether or not both — particularly Stanton — may have a rehab task earlier than returning.
Marcus Stroman (knee irritation), in the meantime, traveled with the Yankees to Coors Area and performed catch Friday afternoon.
He has been throwing occasional bullpen classes however nonetheless has but to face hitters once more since feeling discomfort throughout a dwell session Might 9.
“Some sides have been good,” Boone stated. “Just continuing to build up. Not sure when he has a side next. But hopefully get to a point to where we get him back to a live and see how the knee responds to that.”
