DJ LeMahieu is expected to make his season debut after the Yankees activated him from the 60-day injured list prior to tonight’s game in Anaheim. In a simultaneous action, New York removed infielder Kevin Smith from the 40-man roster; Smith had already opted for minor league free agency rather than being assigned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Following the optioning of Yoendrys Gómez on Sunday, New York activated reliever Ian Hamilton from the COVID-19 list.
LeMahieu is at third base and batting ninth against Gryphon Canning. He should take over the hot corner on a daily basis now that he has recovered from the foot ailments that cost him the first two months of the season. LeMahieu shattered a bone in his right foot on a foul ball near the end of preseason. The team attempted to bring him back in late April, but he experienced increased soreness shortly after beginning a recovery programme. That sidelined him for another few weeks, but LeMahieu has played six minor league games since May 17.
Third base has been a rare question mark in one of the league’s most potent offences. While Oswaldo Cabrera started the season strong, he’s now hitting.230/.273/.295 in 66 plate appearances over the last month. Jon Berti, a Spring Training trade acquisition, has played only 17 games due to two trips on the injured list. The quick utilityman went on the 10-day injured list over the weekend due to a left calf strain. He’ll be absent for much longer than expected, informing reporters this afternoon that he could be gone for six to eight weeks.
