The New York Yankees have lost Oswaldo Cabrera to an ankle injury. They have gotten DJ LeMahieu back, but he will not be slotting in at third base to replace Cabrera.
LeMahieu was activated from the injured list on Tuesday and entered the game as a defensive replacement for Jorbit Vivas, who was pinch-hit for by Ben Rice. LeMahieu went 0-for-1 with a strikeout. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. also injured, LeMahieu will be spending more time at second base, a position he has plenty of experience with, but not so much recently. He spoke on returning to second base.
“Feels natural,” LeMahieu said of playing second base.
LeMahieu had been playing more third base in recent years. However, he noted that he had played second base for 12 years, so switching back is not difficult. Chisholm had been playing second base, but is currently sidelined with an oblique injury.
With Cabrera slated to miss an extended period of time, Chicholm could slide back to third base upon his return. Chisholm played third base for the first time in his career last season after the Yankees traded for him. It’s unclear whether or not the Yankees will stick with their current infield alignment, but if LeMahieu is going to stay at second base, fans could see Chicholm moving between second and third base.
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Boone has noted that he does not necessarily see LeMahieu playing every day. The 36-year-old has struggled with injuries in the last few seasons. Playing him on a nightly basis could end up doing more harm than good. He even missed time during his rehab assignment with a sore hip.
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