DJ LeMahieu didn’t waste time making his presence felt in his long-awaited return to the diamond. Playing for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday night, the 36-year-old Yankees infielder crushed a solo homer and added an opposite-field RBI double in a strong rehab debut. After months sidelined with a strained left calf, LeMahieu looked healthy and dialed in, a promising sign for a player whose recent seasons have been marred by injuries.
Batting near the top of Somerset’s lineup against Hartford, LeMahieu helped spark a five-run first inning with his line-drive double down the right-field line. He followed that with a deep shot to center field in the second. He played five innings at second base before being pulled, a cautious but expected move given his extended absence since March 1.
A crucial rehab for a fading star
This isn’t just another rehab stint, it could be a career-defining one. LeMahieu is in the fifth year of a six-year, $90 million deal with the Yankees, but he hasn’t posted a fully healthy season since 2021. A string of lower-body injuries, including a fractured foot, a hip issue, and a lingering toe problem, have steadily chipped away at the consistency that once made him a batting champion and three-time All-Star.
Last year, he hit a career-worst .204 across just 67 games and missed significant time with multiple ailments. For a team like the Yankees, currently juggling several infield injuries, a healthy and productive LeMahieu would be a major boost. But expectations are tempered; manager Aaron Boone has already indicated the rehab assignment will be extended to allow the veteran to ramp up properly.
What’s next for LeMahieu and the Yankees
With his contract running through 2026, LeMahieu still has time to contribute meaningfully, but the clock is ticking. If Tuesday’s performance is any indication, there’s reason for cautious optimism in the Bronx. Still, durability remains the biggest question.
The Yankees are hoping this rehab stint reignites the steady presence LeMahieu once was. If not, they may be forced to reevaluate how, or if, he fits into their long-term plans.
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