On a day that concluded with a loss, there was no more heartening sight for the Yankees than seeing the two-time batting champion they had missed for quite some time. In some respects literally: This was DJ LeMahieu’s initial appearance in The Bronx since August 25 of the previous year.
In other respects figuratively: LeMahieu recorded his first multi-hit game of the season and smashed his initial home run in his third game of the season, after managing just two homers in 67 games the prior year. While this might merely be a brief interruption in an extended slump for the frequently injured 36-year-old, it didn’t take long for the seasoned infielder to remind everyone of his impressive record and suggest he still has more to contribute.
LeMahieu excelled defensively, sent hard-hit balls all over the field (including one that cleared the park), and appeared once again like DJ LeMahieu during a 3-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday. “He looks like he’s got a little chip on his shoulder,” commented Clarke Schmidt, who was held accountable for two runs over six innings, partly due to LeMahieu’s role in preventing a potential Mets surge after Schmidt left in the seventh.
“He just looks fresh, looks like he’s got his legs under him. It’s refreshing to see.” Activated this week from a calf strain — the latest in a series of injuries he’s faced — LeMahieu has returned from the injured list hitting well. In the third inning, he connected with a Griffin Canning 94.8 mph fastball — noteworthy for a bat that had struggled with high-speed pitches in recent seasons — and sent it over the short porch in right for his first homer since July 31.
The Machine broke character by pumping his fist as he rounded first base — “Probably too much emotion,” LeMahieu admitted — and returned to a dugout filled with smiles. “It felt good to play at Yankee Stadium again in front of these fans and obviously a big series,” said LeMahieu, who had been activated in Seattle and felt strong in the early stages of a comeback that at times seemed improbable.
After multiple foot and toe problems plagued him for years, he appeared a shadow of his former self last season before being sidelined with a right hip impingement. This year, he didn’t make it through one Grapefruit League game, sustaining a calf strain in his spring debut.
