DJ LeMahieu’s second rehab stint got off to a better start than the first, but manager Aaron Boone said the infielder is unlikely to make his season debut with the Yankees before the start of the West Coast tour starting next Friday. said.
“I think it’s been a week. [from now] Before the Yankees beat the White Sox 4-2 on Friday, Boone said it probably wasn’t realistic because it would require a little strengthening and a few days off. “I think [his return] It could happen at some point in the journey, but I certainly don’t think it will be the start. ”
LeMahieu, who missed the entire season with a non-displaced foot fracture, played three innings at third base for Double-A Somerset University, but didn’t hit a single ball.
At bat, LeMahieu had one hit in two at-bats, hitting an infield hit in his first at-bat.
Boone said afterward that LeMahieu had no physical problems.
“Everything was fine,” Boone said.
It was his first game appearance since April 23, when he was forced to leave after just one inning due to foot pain.
If all goes well, LeMahieu is scheduled to play in one more rehab game on Sunday.
Like everything else, the Yankees have been dealing with the absence of the 35-year-old all season.
Oswaldo Cabrera started Friday and had five hits in his previous 10 at-bats, but he also had no hits and a throwing error.
Clay Holmes again made the save in a scoreless ninth inning, but his appearance was unlike any other as the Yankees entered the game as the latest team to give closers WWE-like treatment. We had a different start.
The stadium lights were dimmed and a montage of highlights of Holmes jogging onto the field to Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” was shown.
“It was something,” said Aaron Judge, who said the team didn’t know the introduction was coming. “We’ve been pushing towards it as a team, talking to the right people. When you have a closer like we have, you need something special for him. It gave me goosebumps.
Holmes then extended his excellent start to the season by not allowing an earned run in 19¹/₃ innings, the only pitcher in MLB history to pitch at least seven innings.
Tommy Kahnle could return to the bullpen immediately after a thorough rehab session on Thursday.
The right-handed pitcher is out for the season with shoulder inflammation, but Boone said it’s “possible” he could return by Tuesday.
Boone said Kahnle is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday and the team will “evaluate from there.”
Anthony Volpe extended his hitting streak to 10 games, tying a career high.
During that time he had five extra-base hits.
“Even when he was down a little bit, we showed a consistent approach,” Boone said of Volpe. “I think he’s a much better hitter than he was at the end of last year.”
The adjustments Volpe has made have allowed him to “fight a lot tougher on a consistent basis,” Boone said. “Recently, that has been improving.”
