The clock is ticking on DJ LeMahieu’s potential return to the Yankees’ lineup.
After initially hoping to return again from the injured checklist throughout this homestand, LeMahieu was once more restricted to taking floor balls at third base and a less-than-full-effort batting apply on Friday at Yankee Stadium.
And whereas he mentioned he’s feeling higher, two weeks faraway from touchdown on the 10-day IL with irritation of his proper second toe, LeMahieu additionally mentioned Friday that he couldn’t play in his present bodily state.
“It’s two weeks, it’s a little bit bit higher,” LeMahieu mentioned earlier than the Yankees beat the Pink Sox, 5-4. “We’ve got per week and a half left within the season. So I don’t wish to simply shut it down and need to ramp up once more. So I’m staying as prepared as I can with out being silly. I don’t assume at this level it’s actually going to go away. It’s simply, keep prepared and allow them to know the way I really feel. I’ll be able to go every time that day is.”
Although supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned the three-game sequence subsequent week in Toronto can be “a chance” for LeMahieu, it stays unclear if there shall be a sink-or-swim second for the veteran. After Friday, the Yankees had 12 video games left within the common season, then a possible five-day layoff earlier than the ALDS begins.
Boone mentioned earlier this week that after the Yankees “let it rip” with LeMahieu, “then you definitely begin the breakdown of it.” The Yankees had been nonetheless figuring out when to begin that potential clock, although LeMahieu mentioned he thought he would want at-bats in some capability earlier than leaping right into a playoff sequence.
The Yankees may attempt to get LeMahieu these at-bats in simulated video games between the top of the common season and the beginning of the playoffs. However Boone mentioned “it’s doable” that LeMahieu may have a finite variety of at-bats when he returns.
“But it surely’s the good unknown,” Boone mentioned Friday. “That’s what I hold saying about it. It’s been a very tough damage to get our arms round. What therapies we will do, if and when you are able to do a shot, issues like that. We’ll see.”
Boone mentioned there have been no plans for LeMahieu to obtain one other cortisone shot — which he acquired throughout the All-Star break — however alluded to different photographs that would assist with the ache periodically.
LeMahieu may be an impactful hitter for the Yankees when he’s wholesome, however the toe damage clearly hindered him when he tried to play by way of it earlier than touchdown on the IL. Throughout his final 20 video games, for the reason that toe challenge started to reemerge in mid-August, the 34-year-old was batting simply 10-for-78 (.128) with no extra-base hits.
“Most significantly, if I can’t get my swing off, then I’m sort of ineffective,” LeMahieu mentioned.
LeMahieu didn’t play within the AL wild-card recreation loss to the Pink Sox final 12 months due to a sports activities hernia that required surgical procedure. Requested if his present toe damage would require offseason surgical procedure, LeMahieu mentioned he didn’t assume so, however added, “we’re simply making an attempt to make it by way of the season after which sort of reevaluate after that.”
Within the meantime, the ready recreation continued as to when LeMahieu may be capable to go all in on hitting and actually check his lingering toe damage.
“I’m simply going to maintain doing as a lot baseball exercise as I can and go from there,” LeMahieu mentioned. “The trainers are doing a fantastic job. Simply speaking by way of it, serving to me out…. I really feel like I’m in there three or 4 hours a day, stuff at house, all the pieces. So we’re throwing all the pieces at it we will and simply progressing like we will.”
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