WASHINGTON — The Yankees could add Anthony Rizzo to their first base lineup as early as this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Yankees lost 5-2 to the Nationals on Wednesday, with pitcher DJ LeMahieu facing a left-handed starting pitcher for the fourth consecutive game.
The struggling veteran pitcher had gone 5-for-13 with two sacrifice flies over his last four games but was 1-for-3 on Wednesday night, squashing a ninth-inning rally with an inning-ending double play before being pinch-hit for by Oswaldo Cabrera.
LeMahieu overall hasn't played to his full potential this year since his delayed start to the season while dealing with a dislocated broken leg.
The 36-year-old, who has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract after this season, entered Wednesday's game batting .202 with a .526 OPS in 225 at-bats.
“His season was a little bit different in that respect. Obviously, track record matters,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game when asked at what point results would have been important for LeMahieu to continue starting against lefties. “Obviously, he was a little behind at the start of the year from an injury standpoint, so we're just going to wait until things really unfold and then we can make the right decision going forward.”
Rizzo, meanwhile, started his second consecutive rehab game for Double-A Somerset on Wednesday, striking out two before the game was stopped by rain in the bottom of the fifth inning. He was scheduled to return to New York on Thursday to be re-evaluated by the Yankees.
Manager Boone plans to start three right-handed pitchers against the Cardinals this weekend, but was evasive when asked whether Rizzo would be able to play.
The initial plan was for Rizzo to only play as designated hitter and not play first base until this weekend to begin his rehabilitation assignment, but he underwent further testing recently and has been cleared by doctors to play defensively.
Boone said he plans to start Ben Rice at first base Friday against Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde, but the rookie is expected to be demoted to Triple-A once Rizzo returns.
Clark Schmidt (latissimus strain) made his second rehab start Wednesday night for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, throwing 58 pitches while striking out five and allowing one run in three innings.
Boone said Schmidt will likely make at least one more rehab appearance before rejoining the team, likely next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Luis Gil (back strain) weathered a live batting session on Tuesday and is likely set to make a rehab appearance Sunday and, if all goes well, return on Sept. 6 against the Cubs.
Meanwhile, Will Warren is expected to make another spot start in place of Gill on Saturday against the Cardinals in the Bronx.
Lou Trivino (UCL surgery) and Ian Hamilton (latissimus strain) have yet to pitch in two consecutive games while on rehab assignments, but Boone said that's not necessarily a requirement before the Yankees can use them.
Fellow reliever Scott Efros has completed a rehab assignment but is still shaking off rust from Tommy John surgery and back surgery.
“I think he's done a pretty good job the last few weeks. He's on an upswing,” Boone said. “So he's knocking on the door.”
