Yankees' DJ LeMahieu goes on 10-day injured list with thumb sprain
Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu grimaces as he walks off the field after his bat during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on August 15, 2020. Credit: JASON SZENES/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/JASON SZENES/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
DJ LeMahieu went on the 10-day injured list Sunday after suffering a left thumb sprain in Saturday night’s win over Boston at the Stadium.
LeMahieu is the third significant Yankees hitter to go on the IL in a week, joining Aaron Judge (calf) and Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring). LeMahieu’s .411 batting average led the American League entering play Sunday. He has a .990 OPS in 18 games.
Manager Aaron Boone said imaging tests reveal the thumb is not broken.
“Right now it’s just a sprain — it’s not broken,” Boone said before first pitch. “We’re in some ways a little bit relieved, fearing the worst last night.”
LeMahieu is scheduled to see hand specialists before the team approximates a timetable for his return. Boone did not call surgery a consideration.
LeMahieu broke the same thumb while with the Rockies in 2018 and was sidelined more than two weeks.
He injured the thumb on a swing-and-miss, and though he did complete the at-bat — a groundout — and play the field after he hurt it, he was removed in the sixth.
The Yankees brought up Miguel Andujar from their alternate site to replace LeMahieu on the active roster.
Tyler Wade started at second on Sunday. Boone suggested Thairo Estrada also could see playing time there.
“That’s kind of just been my role the last couple years. I’ve been here as the fill-in when guys go down, unfortunately,” Wade said. “I’ve always had confidence in my game. It just comes with reps, and when I’m in there, I try to do the best I can, and hopefully more comes.”
Chapman set to return
Closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to rejoin the Yankees on Monday. The lefthander has been out all season after testing positive for COVID-19 a few days into summer training camp. He has been working out at the club’s alternate site. “He’ll be here tomorrow, ready to go,” Boone said Sunday.
Zack Britton is 8-for-8 in save opportunities and now moves to a primary setup role. “When I signed back here, it was to win and not feel like I need to be tied to a specific role,” said Britton, who was an elite closer with the Orioles before being traded to the Yankees. “Closing [is] something I want to do in the future. I do like it, but I like winning more, and I felt like the opportunity to win here was more important than getting saves.”
Honoring the Negro Leagues
The Yankees and Red Sox wore special patches on their uniforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
