With a 2-for-4 afternoon, a solo homer, four hard-hit balls and a slick defensive play, DJ LeMahieu gave the Yankees a vintage performance in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Mets.
For LeMahieu, it was just his second start and first appearance at Yankee Stadium this season after a spring training calf strain delayed his 2025 debut until last week. And so the often robotically unemotional second baseman emphatically pumped his first after he started the scoring with a 98.4-mph, third-inning, short porch, solo shot off Griffin Canning.
“It just felt good to play at Yankee Stadium again in front of these fans, and obviously, it’s a big series,” said LeMahieu, who had not homered since July 31 of last year. “So just excited to be out there. I didn’t think it was too much emotion, but maybe for me. But it was good. It was fun.
“I feel like I’m finding my rhythm pretty quickly after coming off the IL. It’s a couple of games, but it does feel like I’m in a pretty good spot.”
LeMahieu also singled at 100.5 mph in the fifth inning and had a forceout at 96.7 mph in the sixth inning. However, his highest exit velocity of the day came in the eighth, when he smoked a 106.6-mph liner to Juan Soto with two outs and the bases loaded.
While LeMahieu wasn’t rewarded in script-like fashion, Aaron Boone called the at-bat “probably his best” of the day.
“Really encouraging to see him just having those level of at-bats in his first few outings here,” the manager added. “He was phenomenal today.”
Boone wasn’t the only Yankee impressed with LeMahieu’s on-the-screws contact throughout the game.
“Even in spring, I think he’s looked really good,” said Cody Bellinger, who also homered on Saturday. “It’s exciting to have him back in the lineup. I love watching him play, and he’s one of the best hitters in the game. I played against him a lot in the NL West a while ago. So I’m excited to have him back, and he’s going to help our team a lot.”
“He looks like he’s got a little chip on his shoulder,” added Clarke Schmidt, who allowed two earned runs over six innings. “He just looks fresh. Looks like he’s got his legs under him, so it’s refreshing to see.”
Asked if Schmidt was right about that chip, LeMahieu downplayed it, stating, “I always do.” However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 36-year-old felt an extra edge.
He’s shown signs of decline and battled numerous injuries over the last few years. The 2024 campaign was the worst of his career, as he slashed .204/.269/.259 with seven extra-base hits, two home runs, 26 RBI and a 52 wRC+ over 67 games between a broken foot and a hip injury.
With LeMahieu owed $30 million between this season and next, there had been some talk as to whether the Yankees should cut ties with the two-time batting champ. Still, LeMahieu entered spring training as a third base candidate before the calf injury.
Now, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. hurt, he’s getting opportunities at second. On Saturday, LeMahieu added a webgem to his offensive outburst, ending the seventh inning with a sliding, back-handed stop on a Francisco Lindor grounder before firing to first for the out.
“He’s always been a great fielder,” Boone said. “Injuries have taken him off the field, but he’s never not been outstanding in the field whenever he’s been out there. So that’s who he is. He’s an elite defender.”
With a strong day all around, LeMahieu repeated that he feels good. Not only physically, but mentally as well.
He said the hardest part of being on the injured list was not being able to help his team, but he’s looking forward to more opportunities to do so now that he’s healthy. And should he continue to play like he did on Saturday, he’ll get more chances than many anticipated.
“It’s not always the most fun,” LeMahieu said of rehabbing, “but it’s worth it when you can get out there and be out there for the guys.”
