TORONTO — DJ LeMahieu must be again within the Yankees’ lineup as quickly as Friday. The infielder ramped up his exercises earlier than Tuesday evening’s sport in opposition to the Blue Jays on the Rogers Centre.
“The last couple of days have been encouraging for him,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “Today he was out there, hitting off the [high] velocity and breaking balls [pitching machines] and running the bases. So there’s a chance he could be in-play tomorrow. If not, maybe I might push a little more to Friday when we open back [up at home] against the Orioles. But we’re about at that point of `let’s get this thing going.’”
LeMahieu has been on the injured record since Sept. 5 with irritation within the space of his proper huge and second toe. He has been taking part in by way of it since earlier than the All-Star break, when he had a cortisone shot to try to get some aid. Lately, the Yankees have been speaking about methods to restrict the ache, together with photographs.
The three-time All-Star, who has 4 years left on his $90 million cope with the Yankees, has been a key cog within the Bombers’ offense the previous couple of years. A contact hitter who received the batting title in 2020, LeMahieu normally leads off. The Bombers clearly missed him final season when he was shut down in September with a sports activities hernia.
These previous couple of video games of the season will likely be a take a look at for LeMahieu, who admitted the opposite day he will likely be “useless” to the Yankees if he can’t get good swings off. The torque on the toe throughout swings has been a very powerful concern for him. So, he’ll see if he can contribute sufficient to be on the playoff roster.
“We’ll see if there’s anything that does hold him back, but I think this is all probably just going to be hitting-related; can he handle it, can he hit at a level he needs to and we need him to be able to do it,” Boone mentioned. “We’ll see.”
LeMahieu is slashing .262/.358/.381 with a .740 OPS, 12 residence runs, 18 doubles and 46 RBI in 120 video games.
BADER LIMITED
Harrison Bader was not within the beginning lineup Tuesday evening, as a result of Boone didn’t need to take a look at the middle fielder who missed over two months with plantar fasciitis.
“Not three days in a row in the first part of his ramp up,” Boone mentioned.
But the Yankees have been inspired by the native New Yorker, who they acquired by sending left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals. Boone mentioned that that is simply the plan proper now because it’s Bader’s first full week again from the IL.
“He’s done really well. We’re encouraged,” Boone mentioned. “So yeah, it’ll be an option for me tonight off the bench. And back in there [Wednesday].”
Bader has made just a few spectacular defensive performs and is hitting .238/.292/.286 with a .577 OPS and 6 RBI in his seven video games with the Yankees. He was on the IL when the Yankees dealt for him.
Boone expects no limitations on Bader within the postseason.
“I don’t anticipate that with the way he’s responded so far. It’s been all good,” Boone mentioned. “I’m kind of looking at this day as kind of the last of it. I mean, obviously we’ll listen to it and if something pops up, we’ll be careful with it, but I don’t anticipate that.”
GETTING MORE HIGGY WITH IT
Kyle Higashioka was again within the beginning lineup Tuesday evening, because the long-time Yankees backup catcher is getting extra time because the calendar turned to September. Boone mentioned that starter Jose Trevino is just a little banged up, however he has additionally struggled on the plate.
Higashioka is hitting .273/.286/.394 with a .680 OPS, a house run and 6 RBI in his final 12 video games. Trevino is hitting .184/.184/.224 with a .408 OPS, two doubles and 5 RBI in 17 video games of September.
“I kind of want to keep them both going and Trevi has taken a lot of hits, foul balls and things he’s doing fine, but wanted to make sure that I preserve him,” Boone mentioned. “Higgy’s been playing well and he’s had his chances so just keep both of those guys going.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com