With a 2-for-4 afternoon, a solo homer, 4 hard-hit balls and a slick defensive play, DJ LeMahieu gave the Yankees a classic efficiency in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Mets.
For LeMahieu, it was simply his second begin and first look at Yankee Stadium this season after a spring coaching calf pressure delayed his 2025 debut till final week. And so the customarily robotically unemotional second baseman emphatically pumped his first after he began the scoring with a 98.4-mph, third-inning, quick porch, solo shot off Griffin Canning.
“It just felt good to play at Yankee Stadium again in front of these fans, and obviously, it’s a big series,” stated LeMahieu, who had not homered since July 31 of final yr. “So simply excited to be on the market. I didn’t assume it was an excessive amount of emotion, however possibly for me. However it was good. It was enjoyable.
“I feel like I’m finding my rhythm pretty quickly after coming off the IL. It’s a couple of games, but it does feel like I’m in a pretty good spot.”
LeMahieu additionally singled at 100.5 mph within the fifth inning and had a forceout at 96.7 mph within the sixth inning. Nonetheless, his highest exit velocity of the day got here within the eighth, when he smoked a 106.6-mph liner to Juan Soto with two outs and the bases loaded.
Whereas LeMahieu wasn’t rewarded in script-like style, Aaron Boone known as the at-bat “probably his best” of the day.
“Really encouraging to see him just having those level of at-bats in his first few outings here,” the supervisor added. “He was phenomenal today.”
Boone wasn’t the one Yankee impressed with LeMahieu’s on-the-screws contact all through the sport.
“Even in spring, I think he’s looked really good,” stated Cody Bellinger, who additionally homered on Saturday. “It’s exciting to have him back in the lineup. I love watching him play, and he’s one of the best hitters in the game. I played against him a lot in the NL West a while ago. So I’m excited to have him back, and he’s going to help our team a lot.”
“He looks like he’s got a little chip on his shoulder,” added Clarke Schmidt, who allowed two earned runs over six innings. “He just looks fresh. Looks like he’s got his legs under him, so it’s refreshing to see.”
Requested if Schmidt was proper about that chip, LeMahieu downplayed it, stating, “I always do.” Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be a shock if the 36-year-old felt an additional edge.
He’s proven indicators of decline and battled quite a few accidents over the previous few years. The 2024 marketing campaign was the worst of his profession, as he slashed .204/.269/.259 with seven extra-base hits, two residence runs, 26 RBI and a 52 wRC+ over 67 video games between a damaged foot and a hip harm.
With LeMahieu owed $30 million between this season and subsequent, there had been some discuss as as to if the Yankees ought to reduce ties with the two-time batting champ. Nonetheless, LeMahieu entered spring coaching as a 3rd base candidate earlier than the calf harm.
Now, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. harm, he’s getting alternatives at second. On Saturday, LeMahieu added a webgem to his offensive outburst, ending the seventh inning with a sliding, back-handed cease on a Francisco Lindor grounder earlier than firing to first for the out.
“He’s always been a great fielder,” Boone stated. “Injuries have taken him off the field, but he’s never not been outstanding in the field whenever he’s been out there. So that’s who he is. He’s an elite defender.”
With a robust day throughout, LeMahieu repeated that he feels good. Not solely bodily, however mentally as nicely.
He stated the toughest a part of being on the injured checklist was not having the ability to assist his staff, however he’s wanting ahead to extra alternatives to take action now that he’s wholesome. And will he proceed to play like he did on Saturday, he’ll get extra possibilities than many anticipated.
“It’s not always the most fun,” LeMahieu stated of rehabbing, “but it’s worth it when you can get out there and be out there for the guys.”
