Following an active offseason, there’s strong anticipation that the New York Yankees will make a comeback to the playoffs in 2024 after a disappointing previous year. However, a potential obstacle to their success could be injuries. The team’s star pitcher, Gerrit Cole, is anticipated to be sidelined for the initial weeks, and there are now concerns about DJ LeMahieu, their expected leadoff hitter, who might also miss the beginning of the season due to what manager Aaron Boone described as “a pretty significant bone bruise” on his right foot. Boone expressed uncertainty about LeMahieu’s readiness for Opening Day, as reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Injury to DJ LeMahieu Leaves the New York Yankees in a Tough Spot
LeMahieu suffered an injury to his right foot during a Spring Training game, displaying immediate discomfort. If his recovery is prolonged, the Yankees will face challenges filling his role in both the batting order and defensive lineup.
According to Dayn Perry’s report for CBS Sports, LeMahieu’s absence creates a dilemma at third base for the Yankees. Ordinarily, Oswald Peraza might step in, but he’s currently sidelined with a shoulder strain likely until at least May. While Oswaldo Cabrera could temporarily take over at third, the Yankees might opt to seek external options as a cost-effective short-term solution.
LeMahieu joined the Yankees in 2021 on a lucrative six-year, $90 million contract, following a string of impressive accolades including multiple All-Star selections, Gold Glove awards, and Silver Slugger honors. However, his offensive performance has declined since then, notably in 2023 where he posted significantly lower batting statistics compared to his peak in 2020 when he clinched the MLB batting title.
The Yankees had pinned hopes on LeMahieu’s resurgence as their leadoff hitter, setting the stage for powerhouse batters like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Manager Aaron Boone had earmarked LeMahieu for the role but also considered outfielder Alex Verdugo as a potential fit.
Boone expressed his optimism, stating, “If we can solve that leadoff spot — look, I want it to be DJ and hopefully it is, but certainly Alex Verdugo up there is a possibility — if that leadoff spot gets settled, then we have a chance to be a really special offense,” as per the New York Post. He emphasized the potential depth and potency of the team’s offense surrounding star players like Soto and Judge.
The New York Yankees Face Significant Injury Issues Before the 2024 Season Starts
Apart from the injuries affecting LeMahieu and Cole, there are indications suggesting that Judge may not be fully prepared for Opening Day due to abdominal concerns.
According to a report by David Lennon for Newsday, Judge has acknowledged that his current issue likely stems from a combination of excessive batting practice swings and compensating for a toe injury sustained last season, which kept him sidelined for seven weeks. The recurrence of the toe problem nearly ten months later raises concerns for the Yankees, particularly given Judge’s significant power, and Boone, the manager, will likely be apprehensive about each swing due to the core issue.
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