Surprising update on DJ LeMahieu’s status changes Yankees’ 2023 outlook

So much has happened with the New York Yankees over the last month that we’ve perhaps forgotten about DJ LeMahieu’s injury situation heading into 2023. In fact, the last we wrote about it was Nov. 29! That’s a long time.

There’s been a whole lot of nothing on that front, though. The last we learned of his situation, the Yankees were waiting six weeks (back on Nov. 18) to determine if LeMahieu needed surgery on his injured right toe that derailed his 2022 season.

Fans were mostly confused why the procedure wasn’t simply greenlit the moment LeMahieu was ruled out for the postseason. He could’ve recovered in time to have a decent offseason ahead of him as he prepared for spring training.

Waiting six weeks at the end of November would’ve put him in line to go under the knife in early January. Then he would’ve needed around 6-8 weeks to recover. Then another few weeks to get back into shape. Then another few weeks to get back up to game speed. His Opening Day status, in this scenario, very much seemed in doubt.

There’s good news, though. It appears the Yankees’ gamble has paid off. Yankees insider Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (subscription required) snuck in a really important piece of information in his latest mailbag article.

Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu likely won’t need surgery and should be ready for spring training

"“The Yankees do not expect LeMahieu to need surgery on his right toe that kept him out of the postseason and he should be a full go for spring training.”"

Manager Aaron Boone snuck in that little bit of information shortly before the holiday break, but Kirschner reinforced it a couple weeks later, which more than likely means LeMahieu is out of the woods since we’re right around where the decision on surgery should’ve been made.

Oh, but it gets better!

When asked about who he thinks the starting infield would be, here’s what Kirschner said:

"“Anthony Rizzo at first, Gleyber Torres at second, Oswald Peraza at shortstop and DJ LeMahieu at third.”"

You’re telling us there’s a chance $25 million man Josh Donaldson spends most of his time on the bench?! Kirschner also added in his piece that there’s (unsurprisingly) been no interest in Donaldson or Aaron Hicks on the trade market, so fans can likely count on the both of them being on the Opening Day roster.

If that’s the case, the goal is to see them as little as humanly possible. With various options joining the organization to compete for the left field job and LeMahieu’s renewed health, we’re that much closer to that reality.

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