DJ LeMahieu expected to return to Yankees starting lineup

MIAMI — Aaron Boone said DJ LeMahieu is expected to be in the starting lineup when the Yankees return home Monday after the infielder was held out of the lineup for a third straight day Sunday with a strained triceps.

LeMahieu felt good enough to pinch-hit again Sunday, striking out in the eighth inning of the Yankees’ 3-1 win over the Marlins. He finished the game at second base.

Gio Urshela is still dealing with a tight left hamstring and is not expected to play Monday — although he was on deck to pinch-hit in the ninth Sunday.

Still, if LeMahieu does start Monday, it is likely going to be at second base — not third — to protect his arm.

Tyler Wade filled in again at third Sunday and made a pair of terrific defensive plays.

DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu
Getty Images

Asked about how Rougned Odor will fit in when both LeMahieu and Urshela return and after the addition of Anthony Rizzo at first, Boone said Odor would still get playing time.

“I think, absolutely, when DJ and Gio are back, there are gonna be days off for everyone,’’ Boone said. “Rougned will be in the mix to a play a lot. It will be something that allows guys to stay fresh.”

Odor started at second again on Sunday.

“He’s been such a good player for us,’’ Boone said. “He’s been great for our team and brought energy… He’s been everything we could have hoped for.”


Luke Voit’s role when he returns from left knee inflammation is still to be determined in the aftermath of the trade that brought Rizzo to the Yankees. Voit is set to begin a rehab assignment this week, according to Boone.

General manager Brian Cashman added on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio that Voit would be with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.


Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres
USA TODAY Sports

Gleyber Torres had a dreadful series: He went hitless in his first 12 at-bats, he was ejected Friday for arguing a called strike three, he committed an error Saturday and he struck out in ugly fashion Sunday. He finally singled in the ninth inning Sunday.

“I’m not too worried about Gleyber,’’ said Boone, adding he believed Torres’ ineffectiveness was due more to Miami’s pitching than a slump.


Jordan Montgomery’s lack of run support continued. He left trailing 1-0 in the sixth. The Yankees haven’t scored more than one run while Montgomery has been in a game in his past eight starts.


Clay Holmes pitched effectively for a second straight day, throwing 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings after replacing Montgomery to start the sixth. He allowed just a two-out single to Sandy Leon before the Yankees’ other new bullpen arm, left-hander Joely Rodriguez, came on and got lefty-swinging Magneuris Sierra to ground out to end the seventh.

“I feel those two guys are important pieces in the bullpen,’’ Boone said.


Boone said Clint Frazier — out since early July with unspecified vision and neurological issues, is expected to be in Tampa in the next few days, with a rehab assignment possibly beginning soon after. Asked what the diagnosis or report was after Frazier went through a series of tests, Boone said the Yankees were trying to put Frazier “in the best position possible to perform.” … Miguel Andujar (sprained left wrist) is not close to a rehab assignment, Boone said.

Leave a Comment