Yankees’ LeMahieu to start season on IL

New York Yankees leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu will start the season on the injured list because of a bruised right foot, the latest injury setback for the former batting champion.

The 35-year-old third baseman has been sidelined since fouling a ball off the foot March 16. He is expected to miss at least the seven-game trip that starts Thursday at Houston.

“It’s a little bit slow go on the recovery side,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “He banged it up pretty good.”

LeMahieu was slowed the past two seasons by an injured right toe.

Gleyber Torres will get time as the leadoff hitter. Oswaldo Cabrera could fill in at third.

Rangers hope to have Seager, Jung ready

World

Series MVP Corey Seager and All-Star third baseman Josh Jung are expected to be in the lineup for the Texas Rangers on opening day, even after both played in only one Cactus League game before the team broke camp.

Seager, who had surgery for a sports hernia repair Jan. 30, and Jung (left calf) were in the lineup again for an exhibition game in their home ballpark against Boston Monday night. It came two days after both got hits in the Cactus League finale.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he planned for Seager and Jung to also play in the final exhibition game Tuesday. The Rangers open Thursday night at home against the Chicago Cubs, and the manager anticipates the left side of his infield being intact.

Seager dealt with the hernia during the team’s run to its first world championship. He hit .318 with six homers, 12 RBIs and 15 walks in 17 postseason games last year. The shortstop homered three times in the World Series, including a tying drive in the ninth inning of the opener.

Jung experienced calf discomfort while fielding ground balls on Feb. 15, a couple of days before the team’s first full-squad workout in Arizona.

Pillar gets new deal from White Sox

Outfielder Kevin Pillar’s one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox calls for a $1 million salary while in the major leagues.

Pillar was in camp on a minor league deal that called for a $3 million salary if added to the 40-man roster but he was cut Friday. Chicago announced it had agreed to a big league deal with the 35-year-old.

Pillar played for Atlanta last year, hitting .228 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 81 games.

Brewers’ Mitchell (hand) out

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell has a fracture in his left hand and is expected to miss the start of the season.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Mitchell was seeing a specialist.

It’s the latest injury-related setback for Mitchell. Mitchell missed most of the 2023 season after surgery on a torn labrum.

Mitchell, 25, batted .246 with a .315 on-base percentage, three homers and seven RBIs in 19 games last season.

Braves bring back reliever Chavez

The Atlanta Braves signed veteran right-hander Jesse Chavez to a minor league contract, providing the opportunity for the reliever’s fifth stint with the team.

Chavez, 40, was released by the White Sox Saturday. His deal with Atlanta includes an invitation to spring training, giving the Braves 29 players in camp.

Chavez was first acquired by the Braves on Dec. 11, 2009. Chavez was released by the White Sox with an 11.57 ERA in seven spring innings.