TAMPA — DJ LeMahieu hasn’t ruled out Opening Day yet.
The problem with the Yankees third baseman, who suffered a serious bruise on his right leg after fouling out on Saturday, is still feeling pain after doing “everything,” including just walking.
But LeMahieu doesn’t think much strengthening will be necessary once the swelling subsides, as he faces a race against time for next Thursday’s season opener against the Astros.
“I’m only going to take it for one day. [at a time] And I’m off to go,” LeMahieu said Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field. “As far as baseball goes, I don’t think it will take long for me to be ready. [Aaron Boone] I told him to be smart about 5 times. That’s why I never want to do something stupid and backtrack. That was clearly taught to me by him. ”
Boone said Monday that he told LeMahieu he didn’t want him to play anything, especially since it’s the same right foot that caused problems for the veteran over the past two seasons.
LeMahieu said he hopes to try the swing “within the next day or two.” He receives daily treatment but has not participated in any baseball activities since inhaling a foul ball that fell on his foot.
“I need to at least see where I am,” he said. “It doesn’t take long to get started.”
LeMahieu said he can already tell the difference in his feet and that this injury does not compare to the injuries he sustained in 2022, when he fractured his right big toe and tore ligaments in his second toe. .
But it’s also more serious than the “hundreds” of foul balls LeMahieu experienced during his career.
“I don’t know if this made me feel different or what, but I definitely felt different when I woke up the next day,” he said.
Earlier this spring, Boone praised LeMahieu’s “explosiveness” at the plate, as his health has improved. LeMahieu said he doesn’t think this bone bruise will change anything in that regard.
But it remains to be seen whether LeMahieu is ready to be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter next Thursday in Houston. He himself believes that the possibility is still there.
“I had a good spring training. I took a lot of turns at bat. [27]” LeMahieu said. “It doesn’t take that long. I mean, it’s almost ready already. So that’s definitely my goal.”
