Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu ‘itching’ to start rehab process

The anticipation is nearly over for DJ LeMahieu.

Initially scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Friday, LeMahieu instead found himself in The Bronx. The decision was made for him to head down to Tampa on either Saturday or Sunday due to inclement weather in the Northeast and the Yankees wanting to err on the side of caution with his calf injury.

Before Friday’s rain-shortened 9-1 loss to the Giants, LeMahieu expressed his preference to be at the team’s complex in Tampa. He explained that being there would allow him to face numerous pitchers and take multiple at-bats, as opposed to being restricted to just a couple of at-bats in a minor league rehab game elsewhere.

Regardless of his location, it will still be some time before LeMahieu is ready to return to the majors.

LeMahieu has been out of action since straining his left calf in his first Grapefruit League game of the spring, following a previous injury-riddled and unproductive season.

“I’m eager to get back out there,” LeMahieu said. “It’s been a tough road, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Although he mentioned that there are no restrictions on his activities, LeMahieu acknowledges that he has a lot of ground to cover after missing significant playing time during spring training before he can be considered for the Yankees’ lineup.

“It will take some time, but hopefully not too long,” LeMahieu remarked.

The Yankees have struggled to find consistent production at third base, mainly rotating between Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza in a lefty-righty platoon that has been underwhelming. However, the team’s combined OPS of .666 at the position ranks in the middle of the pack in the majors (14th overall).

At 36 years old, LeMahieu is signed through this season and 2026 for $15 million per year. Unfortunately, his lower-leg and foot injuries have significantly impacted his performance over the past few years.

Clarke Schmidt is set to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation next week, which could result in Carlos Carrasco, Will Warren, or Marcus Stroman being moved out of the starting group.

“We’ll see,” Boone commented before the game.

Boone indicated that Schmidt is expected to make his debut in “five or six days,” positioning him to potentially start in the final game against the Royals or the opening game of the series in Tampa next week.

The right-hander dealt with a back problem and right rotator cuff tendinitis during spring training, but he has since made progress in two rehab outings.

In his most recent start with Double-A Somerset on Thursday, Schmidt recorded four strikeouts and allowed three hits across four scoreless innings, throwing a total of 61 pitches.

“I thought he looked sharp,” Boone remarked after reviewing video footage of the outing on Friday.

Aaron Judge (0-for-1 with two walks) has reached base in 12 of his 13 games this season.

Against left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray, Trent Grisham, who has performed well against southpaws, got the nod in center field, with Cody Bellinger shifting to left field. Bellinger went 0-for-2 in the game.

Jasson Domínguez, a switch-hitter who has struggled against left-handed pitchers with a 1-for-20 record and seven strikeouts to start the season, did not see any playing time.

The Yankees observed a moment of silence for Octavio Dotel, who tragically passed away at the age of 51 in a roof collapse in the Dominican Republic.

Dotel, a former reliever, appeared in 14 games for the Yankees in 2006.