DJ Starts Off Rehab On A Perfect Note
Bridgewater, New Jersey – Injuries have become a huge point of frustration for Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu over the course of the last two seasons. After fracturing his right foot last spring that forced him out of action until late May, the 36-year-old infielder has now been forced out of
Bridgewater, New Jersey – Injuries have become a huge point of frustration for Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu over the course of the last two seasons. After fracturing his right foot last spring that forced him out of action until late May, the 36-year-old infielder has now been forced out of the lineup since March 1 with a strained left calf. The three-time MLB All-Star hears the questions and doubts from the outside pundits, but he is eager to rejoin the Bombers and prove he is still a viable two-way contributor to a club with championship aspirations.
DJ Got Us Fallin in Love@Yankees INF DJ LeMahieu hits his first home run of 2025! LeMahieu is 2-for-2 with a 2B, HR, and 3 RBI. pic.twitter.com/EcTs9ZFVim
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) April 22, 2025
After ramping up at the team’s complex in Tampa over the last week with about 20 at-bats in simulated action, LeMahieu began a rehab assignment with Somerset at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night and went 3-for-3 with a homer to dead center, a stand-up double to right field and an infield single while driving home three runs in a 7-3 Patriots victory over Hartford.
“Physically felt really good today,” said LeMahieu. “Tested it running and defense – everything.”
LeMahieu added, “Definitely felt like I checked all of the boxes tonight.”
The two-time MLB Batting Champion got a late start to last season and in 67 games of action posted the first negative WAR campaign of his decorated 14-year big league career. In an offseason where he admits he spent a lot of time rehabbing and improving his body to limit injury risk, LeMahieu says he knows when he gets back, he is capable of being the high caliber hitter that fans have come to expect.
“No doubt in my mind that I can help this team one way or the other,” explained LeMahieu. “I am looking forward to being out there again.”
“I want to be out there, and I want to be healthy. When I can’t do that, it’s frustrating, but there’s a lot of season left and hopefully I can be a part of it.”@Yankees INF DJ LeMahieu after his first rehab start with Double-A Somerset tonight. pic.twitter.com/u1cCR4HNR4
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) April 23, 2025
LeMahieu added, “I want to be out there, and I want to be healthy. When I can’t do that, it’s frustrating, but there’s a lot of season left and hopefully I can be a part of it.”
Manager Raul Dominguez removed LeMahieu after he completed five innings in the field, which was the organization’s predetermined plan for him on Tuesday. The game plan, LeMahieu says, is to have an off day tomorrow and Friday while gradually building up his workload over the course of the rest of the week and see how he recovers and feels physically at the end of play Sunday.
“I think I am here Thursday, Saturday and Sunday,” admitted LeMahieu. “Saturday and Sunday, I think, are pretty heavy volume days.”
Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer
Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 13th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.