Yankees bench slump-ridden DJ LeMahieu

Field Level Media|published: Sun 21st July, 16:02 2024

Jul 7, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) doubles during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees benched infielder DJ LeMahieu for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, and possibly for longer.

LeMahieu, who is hitless in his last 17 at-bats and batting .177 on the year, rode the pine for the series finale while Oswaldo Cabrera manned third base.

Before the game, manager Aaron Boone was noncommittal about whether LeMahieu would be back in the lineup soon.

"We'll see," Boone said. "Get through today, and we'll see where we're at."

LeMahieu, 36, was expected to be New York's leadoff hitter this year in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Instead, he's moved around the lineup and produced at a career-worst pace after missing the start of the year with a foot fracture.

LeMahieu told reporters in the clubhouse Sunday that he is healthy.

"I feel good enough to do my job," he said.

A two-time batting champion (2016 with the Colorado Rockies, 2020 with the Yankees), LeMahieu has only three extra-base hits this year, all doubles. He has scored 11 runs and driven in 11 across 39 games.

"It hasn't given me much hope, the last month or so," LeMahieu said. "As long as I've played this game, whatever challenges have presented itself, I've always come out of it one way or another. So I'll just keep showing up, keep working."

--Field Level Media