DJ LeMahieu, coming off his second two-hit game last week, described the season so far in one word: “brutal.”
Most fans would likely agree with that assessment of LeMahieu, who turns 36 next week and has been plagued by toe and foot injuries over the past three seasons.
He also looked weak in his baserunning in his last two games, with manager Aaron Boone suggesting he might be “a little tired.”
LeMahieu said not so ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Red Sox in the Bronx.
“It’s OK,” LeMahieu said.
LeMahieu may be healthy after missing the first two months of the season with a broken right foot, but outside of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, he is one of many questionable players in the lineup.
Among position players with at least 110 plate appearances through Tuesday, only the White Sox’s Martin Maldonado and Jose Abreu, who was released by Houston last month, were worse than LeMahieu’s .210 slugging percentage.
LeMahieu had only two extra-base hits this season in three games last week before his double in the sixth inning Sunday night, but he had only 17 singles and little power.
LeMahieu’s extended slump has been a blow to an offense desperate for more longevity than they’ve seen from two All-Star sluggers, Anthony Volpe early in the season and Ben Rice more recently.
He was in the batting order against right-hander Cutter Crawford on Sunday, batting ninth for the third straight game.
“I just kept going,” LeMahieu said. “I felt good. [Saturday]”But it’s tough when the results aren’t coming, especially when the team is in a difficult situation. You have to keep working hard.”
LeMahieu appeared in just seven minor league rehab games before returning from a foot injury in late May.
When asked if he needed more time to return to the majors, LeMahieu noted that he didn’t have much time to prepare for the 2020 season because summer training was cut short due to COVID-19.
“I don’t think that’s the reason I didn’t try harder,” LeMahieu said. “I feel like I’m close, but the numbers don’t show it.”
He hopes to turn his season around soon.
“I feel good in the box, I’m competitive and I’m ready to go,” LeMahieu said. “I’m ready to help the team.”
