New York Yankees infielder underwent an MRI after experiencing calf discomfort during his spring debut. On Thursday, he informed reporters, including Greg Joyce of the New York Post, that he has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 or 2 calf strain. While no official recovery timeline has been set, he is expected to be side lined for several weeks without participating in any baseball activities. This marks the fifth straight season in which he has dealt with injuries.
“At least a couple of weeks,”he said from the clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field.
His injury adds to the Yankees’ growing list of health concerns. Right-hander Luis Gil will be out for three months due to a lat strain, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton could require elbow surgery as a last resort, according to general manager Brian Cashman.
DJ LeMahieu Diagnosed with Calf Strain, Out for Weeks
At 36 years old, DJ LeMahieu was limited to just 67 games last season due to a broken foot early in the year and a hip impingement later on. When he was on the field, his performance struggled, as he posted a .204/.269/.259 slash line, resulting in a disappointing -1.6 bWAR—one of the worst in the league. LeMahieu was part of the Yankees’ spring training competition for the third base job, though he was unlikely to secure a full-time role.
In his absence, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza are expected to take over at third base. Peraza, a right-handed hitter, and Cabrera, a switch-hitter who excels against right-handed pitching, could form a strong platoon at the position.
LeMahieu is currently in the fifth year of a six-year, $90 million contract. He initially joined the Yankees in January 2019 on a two-year, $24 million deal, which proved highly successful as he accumulated 8.3 bWAR and finished in the top four of MVP voting both seasons. Over the first four years of his current contract, he has recorded a 7.8 bWAR.
