LeMahieu exits early with right hip issue
TORONTO — DJ LeMahieu knew his hip injury wasn’t going away this season, but the Yankees hoped to be able to manage it well enough that he could play through it for the rest of the year before addressing it in the offseason. That may not be possible. LeMahieu left Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre before the bottom of the sixth with right hip soreness, replaced in the lineup by Tyler Wade — who went to shortstop — with Gio Urshela moving to third.
The injury forced LeMahieu to miss Saturday’s game against the Red Sox and the Yankees acknowledged he’d had an MRI exam due to hip and groin discomfort. He returned Sunday and played well until leaving Thursday’s game.
“It was enough to get him out of there,’’ Aaron Boone said of Thursday’s aggravation of the injury. “It affects him at the plate. We hope it’s like last time. We’re managing it the best we can with treatment. We’ll see how he is [Friday].”
Under other circumstances, perhaps a stint on the injured list would be beneficial for LeMahieu, but the Yankees are still fighting for their postseason lives and want LeMahieu in the lineup for whatever playoff run they make.
Asked Sunday if the injury was something that could require surgery, the tight-lipped LeMahieu said, “Not sure yet.”
If the Yankees do end up having to make a roster move, Andrew Velazquez is on the taxi squad and with the team. He would be the best defensive shortstop on the roster.
Rougned Odor is another option who could fill in at third, with Urshela remaining at short.
For now, the Yankees will hope LeMahieu can stay on the field.
LeMahieu’s first season after signing a six-year, $90 million deal to stay in The Bronx has been a huge disappointment — only made worse by this latest injury.
And if offseason surgery becomes a reality, it could get even worse for LeMahieu and the Yankees.