TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu suffered a setback when he injured his left calf during his first spring training appearance. While serving as the designated hitter, LeMahieu sustained the injury on his second at-bat during the Yankees’ 9-3 victory over the Houston Astros.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his concerns about the injury, noting, “That’s not ideal, especially with all he’s had to deal with previously. We’ll evaluate the situation to determine the extent of the injury. Given his history with soft tissue issues, there’s reason to be somewhat concerned.”
This incident adds to a series of health challenges for the 36-year-old. LeMahieu ended last season on the injured list due to a right hip issue. This came after a tumultuous start where he missed the initial months of the season following a fractured right foot from a foul ball in spring training.
Due to these injuries, LeMahieu’s participation last season was limited to merely 67 games. Unfortunately, this stint saw him record career-low statistics, hitting just .204, with only two home runs and 26 RBIs.
With two years left on his six-year, $90 million contract signed in 2021, LeMahieu was anticipated to be the Yankees’ primary third baseman. Should this recent injury sideline him for an extended period, the Yankees will need Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza to step up and cover the position effectively.
