New York Yankees Need DJ LeMahieu’s Spring Training Optimism To Become Regular Season Reality

The Yankees were hopeful in a return to normal for DJ LeMahieu when in the dead of a warm winter in New York manager Aaron Boone told reporters the former batting champion was feeling good enough to avoid the dreaded surgery on his right toe.

Five days into spring training and with the first exhibition game coming up this Saturday, position players are trickling into camps.

One of those was LeMahieu, who expressed significant optimism about the condition of his toe a day before other position players are scheduled to appear.

LeMahieu has reason to be optimistic given the fact he has been working out at the team’s minor league complex in Tampa for about two months. If his toe was bothering him that significantly he would not be able to work out and would be in the early stages of recovering from any type of surgery.

“I’m so excited (with) where I’m at right now,” LeMahieu told reporters Sunday. “How the season ended for me last year and our team – just where I’m at physically and mentally and to be back – I’m really in a good place and really excited to be around the guys again.”

LeMahieu’s first two years of a six-year contract he signed in Jan. 2021 after being extremely productive in a two-year, $24 million contract can be described as exercises in frustration with his performance and health.

He signed the lengthy deal after winning the batting title and flirting with .400 in the early part of the 60-game pandemic season.

In year one of the deal, LeMahieu batted .268 and hit 10 homers in 597 at-bats, matching his homer total that was achieved in 402 fewer at-bats in 2020. By the end of the season as the Yankees staggered just to clinch the second wild-card spot it was revealed LeMahieu would need hernia surgery, which would keep him out of any playoff games.

Last year he was hampered by a toe injury and struggled to play through it before catastrophe hit. The toe first became an issue during a weekend in Boston as it caused him in a span of four games to go 1 for 18 after his average reached .290.

A few days off did not help and following Sept. 4, he was on the injured list for three-plus weeks and went 4-for-17 upon returning with surgery a strong possibility, especially after he was ruled out for the playoffs.

“It was definitely under consideration, but we weren’t sure if we wanted to do surgery on the big toe, the second toe or both. It was just never clear like this was going to be it, and this is the rehab (length), and this is how it’s going to feel, so I think I made the right decision,” LeMahieu said.

A healthy LeMahieu and one who returns to hitting .300 is sorely needed, especially given his versatility. Despite their best defense of Josh Donaldson’s struggling bat in the postseason, the Yankees could have plugged LeMahieu in at first and there’s still not a guarantee in Anthony Rizzo’s back avoiding the circumstances of locking up like it did last September.

“Kind of the same role I’ve had the last few years here,” he said. “I really like playing different positions and moving around, and I think it fits my skill set well and also our team as well.”

Based on what LeMahieu detailed to reporters Sunday, his toe woes may be a result of doing too much. Hitters often talk about not doing too much when it comes to discussing a big hit or big moment, but it turns out their preparation sometimes get described as “doing too much” such as extensive video watching or possibly creating extra muscle strains with too many practice swings.

“I can’t just go out and take a thousand swings every day or a thousand ground balls and call it a day,” he said. “I really have to make sure that I’m physically ready to go every single day for the whole season. Nothing changes, that’s always the mindset, but probably spending more time making sure I can be on the field and be myself rather than making sure my swing is right.”

And if his swing is right after two frustrating years on the long-term deal, then the Yankees can be even more optimistic about someone who turns 35 in July, but the reality will get revealed once it translates to something similar to his previous performance at the plate.