After a month’s absence due to a foot injury, New York Yankees veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu is scheduled to take his final step toward return. His rehab assignment, which was originally scheduled for last weekend, was pushed a few days ahead due to a lack of healing in the latest MRI scans.
Regardless, after several setbacks in rehabilitation, DJ LeMahieu will now commence a rehab assignment with Somerset Patriots on Tuesday. With the veteran’s much-anticipated return on the cards, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone is set to face a healthy dilemma due to utility player Oswaldo Cabrera’s hot show in his absence.
Cabrera Or LeMahieu For Third Base? Aaron Boone Caught In Major Dilemma
DJ LeMahieu is most likely to mark this season’s debut this week, as his rehab assignment is scheduled for Tuesday. It’s been over a month since the veteran’s absence, and undoubtedly, the New York Yankees haven’t largely felt his absence. In his absence, utility player Oswaldo Cabrera has had a breakout start. In the first series itself, Cabrera showed signs of life with a career-high hit game. He continued to feed on the momentum, and despite Jon Berti’s entry, he continued to grind and waited patiently for his due. In their most recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Cabrera picked up two more hits, including an RBI, to propel the Yanks to a 5-4 win. Oswaldo is now hitting .303 with a .838 OPS in 18 games with 14 RBIs, which is only second-best to Juan Soto.
Needless to say, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone remains in a fix. With DJ LeMahieu‘s return on cards, his dilemma of finding the best suitor for third base is significant. Regardless, Boone deemed it a good problem to have. While he is excited to see Oswaldo Cabrera stack up some runs, Boone is also relieved to see LeMahieu’s progress health-wise. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” said Boone. Of course, ignoring Cabrera could prove costly for the Yanks. However, the best thing about Cabrera is his versatility. As a utility player, he can fit into any role whatsoever. Moreover, with Gleyber Torres struggling at second base, perhaps Cabrera could split some time there. Overall, the next week will be crucial for Boone as he strives to strike the right chord with the lineup combination.
Yankees Prospect’s Rehab Assignment To Get Delayed!
Oswald Peraza, who is recovering from a shoulder strain, is still a couple of weeks away from commencing rehab games, revealed Yankees skipper Aaron Boone. Nevertheless, Peraza’s hitting and throwing session has been going well back in the Yanks training complex in Tampa. Still, a return timeline is uncertain.
Notably, the New York Yankees are short on infield bench options due to DJ LeMahieu and Jon Berti’s injuries. While LeMahieu could return this week, Oswald Peraza’s return could be crucial in bolstering the team’s infield depth for the long term. It would be interesting to see how manager Aaron Boone manages this infield dilemma in the future.
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