TAMPA – DJ lemahieu stood in front of his locker Sunday as he had dealt with his latest injury as he had more time than he cares.
He still had an MRI exam with the left calf that kicked him out of his first spring training game on Saturday, but he said it was still painful.
“It's probably a while before we start playing baseball again,” Lemahieu said.
The latest injury came after the offseason, when the 36-year-old said he focused more on how to stay healthy and worked on lower limb flexibility over typical baseball activities.
His offseason routine changes have come from the fact that he not only robbed him of playing time after being affected by several years of injury, but also many foot issues that have taken away his effectiveness on both sides of the ball.
Lemahieu suffered in his second spring at-base on Saturday when he jumped for the Astros at Stein Brenner Field and felt a shaking in his calves on his way to a base.
His mind-running ideas at the time were probably similar to those of Yankee fans. “'Are you teasing me?'” Remahiu said of his immediate reaction. “Are you serious right now? Is this a sick joke?”
As of Sunday morning, Lemahieu said there was no timeline for his return, but he added, “it's not a major one.”
However, at this point it is difficult not to be afraid of the worst when it comes to Lemahieu and Body Disurises.
He spoke to the history of recent injuries at the beginning of the spring, hoping that he would remain healthy and return to the productive player he had in the past.
Lemahieu's tone was different on Sunday.
“I wanted to come here this spring and prove that I am healthy,” Lemahiu said. “I'm not heading for the hottest start with that.”
The competition in the camp was thought to include Lemahue, Oswald Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, as the Yankees did not add a third base hand to the roster.
Lemahieu's chance was a hit with a calf injury, but he repeatedly said he believes he will continue to be a valuable member of the team in the future, with two years and $30 million left on his contract.
“I definitely feel very confident in myself,” Lemahee said. “It's not shaking at all, but at the same time, I'm still taking the hit. It's certainly disappointing. I know there's something to give this team if I can stay healthy.”
Unfortunately for Lemahee and the Yankees, it is now a big “what if.”
Asked how that could change, Lemahew said, “It's a difficult question to answer. I feel like I'm putting a lot of time and effort into doing the right thing and staying right. I don't know if there's an answer, but I'll definitely continue and do my best to get out there and help this team.”
