WASHINGTON — Assistance is on the best way at first base for the Yankees, within the type of Anthony Rizzo, probably as quickly as this weekend.
Within the meantime, DJ LeMahieu began his fourth straight recreation on the place because the Yankees confronted their fourth straight left-handed starter in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Nationals.
The struggling veteran went 5-for-13 with a pair of sacrifice flies throughout the four-game stretch, however his 1-for-3 Wednesday night time included grounding into an inning-ending double play to squash a rally earlier than being pinch-hit for by Oswaldo Cabrera in a ninth-inning rally.
On the entire this 12 months, LeMahieu has been a shell of himself after beginning the season late to cope with a non-displaced foot fracture.
The 36-year-old, who nonetheless has two years and $30 million left on his contract after this season, completed Wednesday batting .202 with a .526 OPS throughout 225 plate appearances.
“His season’s been somewhat completely different in that — clearly the monitor document issues,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated earlier than the sport when requested at what level the outcomes mattered for LeMahieu when it comes to persevering with to begin towards lefties. “Clearly behind the eight ball somewhat bit from an harm standpoint to begin the 12 months. So that you need to let issues actually declare themselves to the place you’re making sound selections shifting ahead.”
In the meantime, Rizzo began a second straight rehab recreation at first base Wednesday for Double-A Somerset — putting out twice earlier than the sport was suspended by rain within the backside of the fifth — and the plan was for him to return to New York on Thursday for the Yankees to reevaluate his standing.
Boone was noncommittal when requested if Rizzo might be in play this weekend towards the Cardinals, who’re set to begin three right-handed pitchers.
Initially, the plan was for Rizzo to not play first base till this weekend, after strictly DHing to begin his rehab project, however he acquired additional assessments lately that led to medical doctors clearing him for motion within the discipline.
Boone talked about planning to begin Ben Rice at first base Friday towards Cardinals righty Erick Fedde, although the rookie is anticipated to be optioned to Triple-A each time Rizzo comes again.
Clarke Schmidt (lat pressure) made his second rehab begin Wednesday night time, this one for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, constructing as much as 58 pitches whereas putting out 5 and giving up one run throughout three innings.
Boone stated Schmidt would “in all probability” make at the least another rehab begin (presumably subsequent Tuesday) earlier than probably rejoining the group.
Luis Gil (decrease again pressure), in the meantime, got here out of Tuesday’s stay batting apply session nicely and is in line to make a rehab begin, doubtless Sunday — setting him as much as return Sept. 6 towards the Cubs if all goes nicely.
Within the meantime, Will Warren is scheduled to make one other spot begin for Gil on Saturday towards the Cardinals in The Bronx.
Lou Trivino (UCL surgical procedure) and Ian Hamilton (lat pressure) have but to pitch in back-to-back video games throughout their respective rehab assignments, however Boone stated that was not essentially a requirement earlier than the Yankees would activate them.
As for fellow reliever Scott Effross, who is finished along with his rehab project however nonetheless knocking off some rust from Tommy John and again surgical procedure?
“I feel he’s been doing a fairly good job now for actually a pair weeks, the stuff’s trending up,” Boone stated. “So he’s knocking on the door.”
