TAMPA — DJ LeMahieu wasn’t in the Yankees’ opening day lineup in 2019, but he still put together an all-star season and racked up 655 at-bats.
The infielder could be in a similar position Thursday, but he and the Yankees would certainly have the same bottom line.
Manager Aaron Boone wasn’t ready to reveal his lineup for the opener against the Red Sox Tuesday, but there’s no guarantee LeMahieu will be there. Depending on how they plan to play Red Sox right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, the Yankees could choose Josh Donaldson at third base, Gleyber Torres at second base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop, and Anthony Rizzo at first base.
LeMahieu, who is expected to travel in an everyday infield utility role this season, said he wouldn’t be disappointed if his name didn’t make Thursday’s starting lineup.
“There’s always a lot of focus on opening day, but it’s definitely a marathon,” LeMahieu said Tuesday before the Yankees broke camp.
DJ LeMahieu AP
LeMahieu started 150 games last season — including 77 starts on second base, 36 starts on third base and 33 starts on first base — but struggled with a .268 with a .711 OPS on the plate before retiring the season with a missed sports hernia that required surgery.
The 33-year-old, who is in the second year of a six-year, $90million contract, said he feels healthy again after an “increased” focus on making sure he takes care of his body during the offseason. He finished the Grapefruit League game with a 9-for-30 hit with .831 OPS.
“I’m feeling really good,” LeMahieu said. “I think the team is really well positioned. The shortened spring has put the emphasis on quality over quantity, which I think has helped us. So I think it was good.”
Boone has said time and time again this spring that the Yankees’ crowded infield would work on its own if everyone got lots of at-bats. And while they’ve stayed healthy through spring training, LeMahieu believes their depth and versatility will do well to help them deal with inevitable injuries throughout the season.
“You’re seeing people moving around positions a little bit more than they’ve been in the past few years,” LeMahieu said. “I think that will only help us stay on the field. Sometimes in the past when a guy goes down here or there, it really took a big hit. Hopefully injuries will happen – but when we hit those bumps in the road hopefully we’ll have guys who are better prepared to step up.