With all the attention on D.J. LeMahieu’s running, Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the infielder might be “a little tired.”
LeMahieu didn’t appear to be sprinting on his way to first base on what ended up being a fielder’s choice in the top of the third inning of Friday’s loss.
LeMahieu launched the pitch up the middle, where Boston second baseman Emmanuel Valdez was positioned.
But potential double plays were repeatedly mishandled: Valdez dropped the ball, picked it up and threw it to shortstop Sedan Rafaela, who spun around to touch second base and then double-clutched.
Finally, he threw to first base and nearly caught LeMahieu.
Boone defended LeMahieu’s effort level after the game.
The next day, Boone said he watched a replay of the play and thought the 35-year-old LeMahieu, who missed the first two months of the season with a broken right foot, might be struggling to get back into top running form.
“He was trying to get out of his swing, run along the line and get his gait right, but I thought it was hard to get going,” Boone said before the Yankees faced the Red Sox in the Bronx, “and then finally he just forced the throw. Obviously, it wasn’t the most efficient way to do it.”
LeMahieu reached first base safely, but ran to second, resulting in a Yankees loss of a run. Ben Rice then cut the ball down the first base line, where first baseman Romy Gonzalez caught it, touched first base, and threw to second. LeMahieu was tagged out before Anthony Volpe, running from third, could score, ending the inning.
Volpe said he didn’t run hard and thought the ball was foul, while LeMahieu didn’t try to run down the ball.
LeMahieu’s play will come under intense scrutiny, especially unless his hitting is on a roll.
The veteran entered the game batting just .175 with no home runs through the first 30 games of the season.
Perhaps he needs more time.
He is probably well past his prime.
Perhaps he’s still feeling the effects of the injury he sustained after being hit in the leg by a pitch from LeMahieu during spring training.
“He says he’s OK,” Boone said of LeMahieu, who has been plagued by toe and foot injuries since 2022. “I think he’s recovered from the foul ball. It was obviously a hit, but I feel like he’s overcome in a lot of ways the foot and toe issues that have plagued him the last couple years.”
“…Maybe it’s a little hurt? Maybe.”
