DJ LeMahieu left the first game of his rehab assignment against Double-A Somerset after just one at-bat on Tuesday and underwent additional tests on Wednesday because of residual pain in his right foot the next day.
General manager Brian Cashman said LeMahieu took batting practice before the Patriots game, but felt pain when he took the field to play defense.
He added that there was nothing in particular causing the pain, but that it appeared “suddenly.”
The results were not clear before Wednesday’s game between the Yankees and the Athletics at Yankee Stadium, but manager Aaron Boone has already faced other hurdles in his recovery, including a delayed rehab assignment. He wasn’t “overly concerned yet.”
When asked if he was surprised by LeMahieu’s pain, Boone said “a little bit.” And from what I saw, just watching him take ground balls and seeing him hit, he looked really good. ”
LeMahieu has not played for the Yankees since fouling a ball in his foot during a spring training game on March 16, but an initial X-ray test came back negative and an MRI was taken two weeks later after the swelling subsided. However, it was found that the symptoms had not improved. Displaced fracture in his right leg.
So LeMahieu, who was starting to find his hitting rhythm with hits in four of the final five games of the spring, started the season on the disabled list with a right foot contusion.
The most promising step toward a comeback — and a chance to improve on last year’s career-worst batting average of .243 while inching closer to the hitter who won the American League batting title in 2020 — is the Yankees’ It arrived early last week as planned. The rehabilitation mission will begin April 18 or 19 and conclude with his return to the majors.
However, another MRI scan forced the Yankees to postpone his stint in Somerset until Tuesday. LeMahieu told reporters on Friday that he was “frustrated,” but there was still optimism that the 35-year-old’s return was near.
The batting lineup, where most hitters other than outfielder Juan Soto continue to struggle, could use LeMahieu’s stimulation.
The Yankees’ infield shortage will also bring back regular players.
But then his rehabilitation efforts with the Patriots faltered with one at-bat, two swings, one foul ball, and a strikeout.
“I hope it’s as simple as giving them more time and nothing more complicated than that,” Cashman said.
