Yankees INF LeMahieu feels great after injury-marred season

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu is feeling nice because the two-time batting champion seems to be to place an injured-marred 2022 behind him.

LeMahieu was restricted to 125 regular-season video games and sat out the postseason due to a proper toe harm. He has been understanding on the Yankees’ minor league advanced since December.

“I’m so excited (with) where I’m at right now,” LeMahieu stated Sunday, a day earlier than Yankees place gamers should report back to spring coaching. “How the season ended for me last year and our team — just where I’m at physically and mentally and to be back — I’m really in a good place and really excited to be around the guys again.”

LeMahieu stated lacking the playoffs, the place the Yankees have been swept in a four-game AL Championship Series by the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros, was the worst feeling.

“Just kind of gets you motivated,” he stated.

LeMahieu, a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, went right into a 2-for-38 slide by way of Sept. 4 earlier than happening the injured record. He returned on Sept. 30 and was 4 for 13 with two walks, no extra-base hits and no RBIs. He completed the season with a .261 batting common, his lowest since 2011.

“I’m very confident going into this season,” LeMahieu stated. “When you’re banged up, it’s frustrating. It’s so limiting that I couldn’t be myself.”

LeMahieu, who had a cortisone injection through the All-Star break, opted to not have surgical procedure after consulting with specialists.

“It was definitely under consideration, but I think I made the right decision,” he stated. “There was a lot of conversions there for about a month after the season.”