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8 hours ago
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While they currently sit in first place in the American League East, the New York Yankees have suffered more than a few brutal blows to their roster’s health. Team ace Gerrit Cole is out for the season, Giancarlo Stanton is far from his 2025 debut, and 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is still nursing a lat strain.
And now, Oswaldo Cabrera is likely out for the rest of the season with a left ankle fracture. In response to this awful news, the Yankees activated veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu. In an interview with ESPN’s Buster Olney, acclaimed baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian revealed the Bronx Bombers' likely plan of action for the foreseeable future.
“I would put DJ LeMahieu there and just tell him you’re the third baseman every day and hope it works,” Kurkjian states. “He has not been the same player for several years now, and I’m not sure what it is, but I would try to revive the two-time batting champ and see if playing him in the same position will help.
Now, do I think it’s going to return him to his former glory? No, I don’t, but I think it’s worth a try. As much as we value these very flexible players who can show up any day and play any position on the field, and DJ LeMahieu is that guy, I think just put him at third and say you’re our third baseman and you’re going to play everyday and see if it helps him at the plate.”
After a phenomenal start to his tenure in the Bronx, LeMathieu has struggled in the batter’s box the past couple of seasons. While there’s a chance that the Yankees eventually make a trade for a more reliable player at third base, seeing what the three-time All-Star still can do at the position is likely the best course of action.
Overall, the Yankees are still in good shape to contend in the American League, but the injuries are adding up. Third base will go to LeMathieu for now, but the pressure will be on the 36 year old to produce right away.
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