The New York Yankees’ star baseman, DJ LeMahieu, has been off the roads since the gruesome toe injury he sustained last season. While the toe is fully healed, his form has not picked up pace just yet. This season, DJ has hit .236 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs. What’s even more concerning is the baseman’s unusual approach. He is trying to do something which is against his batting style, and it’s resulting in a higher number of strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Yankees owner, Hal Steinbrenner, has taken note of DJ LeMahieu’s performance and recently criticized him for the same. Hal was out of a club owner’s meeting when he spoke about the team’s numerous concerns in length. He also mentioned LeMahieu and had a strong opinion for him. The baseman, on the other hand, took note of it and replied in the very next game.
DJ LeMahieu Hits Gigantic Home Run Days After Yankees Owner’s Criticism
New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner addressed the team’s concerns and spoke about it at length with the reporters a few days ago. He particularly mentioned baseman DJ LeMahieu’s concerning form. Hal said that DJ had not reported any injury issues and is fine and healthy as per his best knowledge. However, LeMahieu’s higher strikeout rate surprised him as it’s very unlikely of him. Regardless, Hal displayed confidence in the veteran, saying that he and the team were working day in and out to solve the problem. Also, Hal suggested that age could also have played a role.
Meanwhile, DJ Lemahieu was filled in about all the words Hal Steinbrenner used for him via reporters. He said that the boss is not wrong and his approach has been the problem. But he is trying to improve it, and the hits will come. Cut to the next day, DJ let his bat do all the talking. During the series opener against the Mets, the baseman hit an 82-mph slider over the left field to record a 396-foot home run and brought down the Mets’ lead to just two runs. After the hit, DJ said that these kinds of slumps are not new to him. It always takes him a couple of at-bats to come out of it. And once he is back, he can be consistent. LeMahieu even mentioned Hal Steinbrenner, saying he is demanding when it comes to performance. But also stays very supportive, and the team respects him immensely.
Highly Paid Veterans Continue To Disappoint In Aaron Judge’s Absence
When Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, landed on IL due to a toe injury, everybody expected the veteran batters to step up to the occasion. However, that’s not been the case so far. The veteran lineup consisting of Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, and Gleyber Torres has failed to garner a win for the team. Recently against the Mets, it was the journeyman Jake Bauers who tried to hold the fort for the longest time while the experienced one struggled.
In the whole game, the mix of Rizzo, LeMahieu, Stanton, and Donaldson went 1-for-15. Eventually, the Yankees ended up losing the game by one run. That has been the trend since Aaron Judge got injured. The offense does impressive work but not enough to cross the finish line. With Judge still, expected to stay out for a couple of more weeks, what next in line for the Bombers? How they will survive will remain a burning question.