Yankees get crushed by new DJ LeMahieu injury update after latest MRI
Even when the New York Yankees are enjoying a terrific start to the 2024 season in an environment they'd normally roll over in, they can't help but get hit with back-breaking injury news.
On Saturday, manager Aaron Boone provided an update on DJ LeMahieu's status after he surprised fans earlier in the week and revealed the veteran would be undergoing another MRI because his foot hadn't been responding like the medical staff expected.
Turns out, something else was wrong. LeMahieu is dealing with was non-displaced bone fracture and will be re-imaged in two weeks, which only prolongs the troublesome foot issue that has plagued the Utility Gold Glove winner since 2022.
The Yankees' trade for Jon Berti should hopefully play a big role in addressing the team's depth for the time being. And thankfully, Oswaldo Cabrera's incredible start to the year has suggested he's well beyond his horrific 2023 showing.
Yankees get crushed by new DJ LeMahieu injury update after latest MRI
LeMahieu hasn't been healthy since the 2020 season, so the Yankees' six-year, $90 million investment has been all for essentially nothing. This latest wrinkle makes his timetable for return even more unclear because of the uncertainty surrounding the injury's healing.
Fans were already nervous when there was a lack of definitive information with the initial diagnosis. First it was a bone bruise and he was fine. He wasn't expected to miss a whole lot of time. Then it was a "serious contusion" and his status for Opening Day was in question.
Now it's a non-displaced fracture and there's no telling when he'll be back on the field.
At the very least, the team prepared for him to be out a decent while based on the Berti acquisition -- a move that makes them more versatile and athletic.
But right now the leadoff spot in the order is in question (the jury's still out on Gleyber Torres' ability to hold down that role) and the defense may suffer with less experienced third base options. Hopefully, the bats can continue humming and keep this a non-issue because the Yankees have enough roster-altering injuries to deal with.