Veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu’s hopes of securing the New York Yankees’ everyday third base job hit a snag early in spring training. LeMahieu made his spring debut on Saturday in a 9-3 win over the Houston Astros at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. The three-time All-Star went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before being replaced by Omar Martinez. After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that LeMahieu suffered a calf injury during his second at-bat, calling the situation “at least a little concerning.”
With the Yankees reportedly out of offseason budget to sign additional free agents, the team is forced to look internally for their next starting third baseman. LeMahieu, a four-time Gold Glover and two-time batting champion, was one of three top candidates for the role, alongside utility man Oswaldo Cabrera and former top prospect Oswald Peraza. However, the 36-year-old LeMahieu has struggled with injuries and declining production in recent years. Last season, he played in just 67 games, posting a career-worst .204 batting average with only two home runs.
As the Yankees evaluate their options, LeMahieu’s latest injury raises questions about his ability to contribute consistently in 2025. The team will need to rely on its depth to fill the void at third base, with Cabrera and Peraza likely getting extended opportunities to prove themselves.
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