The New York Yankees benched two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu on Sunday amid a season-long slump.
LeMahieu was not called up for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Oswaldo Cabrera took his place at third base. Manager Aaron Boone discussed the decision with reporters before the game, though he declined to comment on LeMahieu’s status beyond Sunday’s game.
“We’ll see,” Boone said when asked about LeMahieu’s possible return to the lineup. “He gets through today and we’ll see where we’re at.”
He also praised LeMahieu’s talent and professionalism.
“He’s a great professional and obviously he’s been a great hitter throughout his career and his life,” Boone said. “He’s a very tough guy physically and mentally. He’s prepared to handle things and deal with them.”
“But you also have to take into account that a guy who has had this kind of success is really trying hard right now. You have to take that into account as well.”
Aaron Boone on whether DJ LeMahieu could return to the lineup tomorrow: “We’ll see.”
“He’s a true professional and obviously he’s been a great hitter throughout his career and his life. He’s a very tough guy physically and mentally.” photo.twitter.com/Xm3JCS8KJl
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 21, 2024
LeMahieu, 36, is batting .177/.270/.202 in 39 games this season, the worst performance of his 14-season MLB career by far. He has 11 RBIs and has yet to hit a home run.
A three-time All-Star and a career .290/.352/.411 hitter, he won a batting title with the Colorado Rockies in 2016 and another with the Yankees in 2020. His .243 batting average last season was previously a career worst.
LeMahieu began the season on the injured list with a broken foot and has struggled at the plate since returning to the lineup on May 28. booed and jeered by home fans The Yankees have been mired in a slump as a team. New York entered the All-Star break on an 8-18 skid that saw them fall from first place in the American League East to behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees, at 59-41, were two games behind the Orioles entering Sunday’s game.
Boone said Saturday LeMahieu: “We have to keep playing him.”
“He’s earned it, and where we’re at right now roster-wise, we’ve got to give him that opportunity to unlock it,” Boone said.
LeMahieu then went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in a 9-1 loss to the Rays. On Sunday, he told reporters that he is healthyLeMahieu is playing in his fourth year A six-year, $90 million contract.
