I think many Yankees fans expected this morning’s DJ LeMahieu news as a possible outcome so I doubt they are shocked that it has come to pass. But it is now official, rather than speculation. Presumptive starting third baseman LeMahieu will start the 2024 campaign on the Injured List, rather than manning the hot corner in Houston this weekend.
LeMahieu fouled a ball off his right foot last weekend, resulting in what skipper Aaron Boone called at the time a “pretty significant bone bruise.” Given that initial diagnosis, it seemed optimistic to think DJ would be in the Opening Day lineup, especially considering his injury history. This morning, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reported that GM Brian Cashman has confirmed LeMahieu’s sojourn to the IL.
In the short term, which is presumably what we’re dealing with, the Yankees have internal options both to replace LeMahieu at third base and to fill his roster spot. In all likelihood, Oswaldo Cabrera would take over as the starting option at the hot corner since Boone has expressed confidence in the 2022 rookie standout.
Meanwhile, on the 26-man roster, Jahmai Jones, Kevin Smith, and Jose Rojas are all candidates to take DJ’s spot whilst he recuperates. In a vacuum, Jones has the edge by simply occupying a current spot the expanded 40-man roster; Smith and Rojas are in camp as non-roster invitees. The Yankees could even use that spot on Ben Rortvedt, giving them time to either hope they can sneak the catcher through waivers after the initial crush of upcoming transactions or to find a trade partner for the backstop.
