On a day that ended in disappointment for the Yankees, they did get a glimmer of hope with the return of DJ LeMahieu, a player they hadn’t seen at home in quite some time.
In fact, this marked LeMahieu’s first game in the Bronx since August 25 of the past year.
He managed to contribute two hits, marking his first multi-hit game of the season. This was also his first home run this season, a notable achievement considering he’d only logged two homers in the entire previous season.
Maybe this is a momentary spark for the 36-year-old, who has faced his share of injuries, but it’s clear that he has more to offer, reminding everyone of his past accomplishments.
LeMahieu showed his defensive prowess as well, making impressive plays even as the Yankees lost 3-2 to the Mets on Saturday.
“He seems to have a chip on his shoulder,” said Clark Schmidt, who allowed two runs over six innings. LeMahieu helped him fend off the Mets’ late-game surge after Schmidt left the mound. “He looks fresh and like he’s really settled in. It’s great to see.”
This week, LeMahieu dealt with calf tightness from a recent illness that affected several players, yet he remained off the injured list.
During the game, he connected with a fastball that registered 94.8 mph—definitely a strong show for someone who has struggled in recent seasons.
His enthusiasm was palpable when he let out a passionate fist pump, though he joked it might have been fueled by “a bit too much emotion.”
“It feels wonderful to be back playing at Yankee Stadium in front of these fans. This series is really significant,” LeMahieu remarked, feeling re-energized after his time in Seattle and optimistic about what lies ahead.
After battling foot and toe problems for years, he faced additional setbacks, including a collision that sidelined him last year.
This spring, he didn’t make it through a single Grapefruit League game before being affected by calf issues.
Yet, despite the lengthy recovery, he’s starting to show signs of his former self.
He hit a home run and also a single that reached 100.5 mph off the bat, another strong indicator of his abilities. Additionally, he had a 106.6 mph hit with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, a moment of excitement that ultimately didn’t lead to a score.
“It really motivates me to see him excelling like this in his initial games,” said manager Aaron Boone. “He was fantastic today.”
LeMahieu echoed similar sentiments, sharing, “I feel like I’m finding my rhythm pretty quickly.”
The Yankees are in need, especially at second base, where Jaz Chisholm Jr. is nursing an injury, making LeMahieu’s contributions all the more critical.
It’s still early to declare that he can be a consistent asset, but he has shown he possesses that potential, pending his health.
His skills extend beyond batting; he also demonstrated his defensive talent with a sliding backhand play that retired Francisco Lindor, helping the Yankees avoid a sticky situation in the seventh inning.
“He’s always been a strong fielder,” Boone remarked. “Injuries have limited his play, but he’s never lost that quality. He’s an elite defender.”
