Yankees say DJ LeMahieu has sports hernia
Manager Aaron Boone said DJ LeMahieu will need surgery after the season. Credit: Jim McIsaac
DJ LeMahieu’s pain turned out to be Andrew Velazquez’s gain.
With LeMahieu sidelined on Saturday with what the Yankees revealed is a sports hernia, the Bronx-born Velazquez was recalled from Triple-A and started at shortstop against the Rays in a potential clinching game.
The Yankees will clinch a wild card spot if they beat Tampa Bay on Saturday. They can also get in on Saturday even if they lose if Toronto and Seattle also lose.
Manager Aaron Boone said LeMahieu got a cortisone shot in the hopes that he can play as soon as Sunday, which is the last scheduled game of the regular season. Boone indicated LeMahieu will need surgery after the season.
"I think for DJ here over the last couple of weeks, there's been days where it's better," Boone said. "It's something he's obviously been able to manage and play well through. There's been other times where it was just too limiting for him . . . He's about as tough as they come. So he's able to kind of manage and govern himself just about as well as anyone. But he's also honest and there's certain times where he just can't press through."
LeMahieu’s absence meant an opportunity for Velazquez, who impressed the Yankees with his glove and athleticism when he was with them from Aug. 9-Sept. 12.
"(He) brings an athletic skillset on both sides of the ball and obviously good speed," Boone said. "And then moving (Gio Urshela) over to third where he's so good. So hopefully with (Jordan Montgomery starting), who does put the ball on the ground, hopefully it's something that aids us today."
Albert Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for Velazquez.
Voit update. Boone said Luke Voit (left knee inflammation) could be an option for the Yankees "potentially deeper in October. I think overall pretty good news on his knee. But . . . we'll see how it kind of unfolds over that time."
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
