The New York Yankees have officially designated two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu for assignment, marking a significant turning point in the veteran infielder's seven-year tenure with the team. This decision, announced on July 9, 2025, comes amid a series of injuries and shifting roster dynamics that have limited LeMahieu's role and impacted the Yankees' flexibility on the infield.
LeMahieu, who will turn 37 on July 13, has struggled with a variety of injuries over the past few seasons, including persistent hip, foot, toe, and calf issues. These physical setbacks have taken a toll on his defensive capabilities, particularly at third base, a position the Yankees had hoped he could fill. According to General Manager Brian Cashman, LeMahieu communicated as early as last winter that playing third base was physically challenging, largely due to a lingering right hip impingement sustained in 2024. Cashman explained, "He was always just sharing that the recovery was really difficult. The physical toll on him to tee up at that position was a problem and so therefore that position is a problem." The strain was further confirmed during spring training when LeMahieu suffered a left calf strain in his first Grapefruit League game on March 1, 2025, while playing third base, which effectively ended any realistic expectation of him manning that spot.
Beginning the 2025 season on the injured list due to that calf strain, LeMahieu made his season debut on May 13 as the Yankees' primary second baseman. While his offensive numbers were respectable—batting .266 with a .674 OPS in 45 games—his defensive range at second base was noticeably limited. Since June 1, LeMahieu had improved at the plate, hitting .310 with a .754 OPS in 96 plate appearances, but the Yankees ultimately determined that his defensive liabilities outweighed his offensive contributions.
The roster shuffle intensified when All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who had started the season as the everyday second baseman, returned from an oblique injury in early June and was shifted to third base. Chisholm had picked up the position after being acquired from the Miami Marlins during the 2024 trade deadline and had played through a shoulder injury that affected his throwing ability. On July 6, Chisholm revealed he had hurt his shoulder making a throw from third base three weeks prior, which led to several throwing errors. Consequently, two days later, Chisholm was moved back to second base, pushing LeMahieu into a bench role.
Manager Aaron Boone described the transition as "not necessarily great" for LeMahieu but emphasized the veteran did not request his release. Boone reflected on the difficult conversations leading to the decision: "It's been a tough couple of days, some hard conversations. And then ultimately coming to this decision, conclusion, obviously not easy for [who's] been a great player. He's done a lot of great things for this organization. So, difficult, but at the end [we] feel like this is the right thing to do at this time." LeMahieu was reportedly willing to resume workouts at third base if asked, but the physical demands of the position and the team's need for roster flexibility made the move inevitable.
With LeMahieu's departure, the Yankees have turned to a rotation of Oswald Peraza, Jorbit Vivas—who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill LeMahieu's roster spot—and possibly J.C. Escarra to cover third base "in the interim," as Boone put it. However, none of these options offer the offensive production the Yankees desire, and General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the team’s plans to pursue upgrades ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
Cashman outlined the team's priorities: "I'd certainly love to import a starter, some relievers... and an infielder as well, if possible. That's a long list. I don't know if this will be a deep Deadline or not, so I don't know how active we can be. But we will try to be active, I can tell you that, and we will try to import improvements. That's the gig." The Yankees have lost three starters from their World Series rotation this season, compounding the urgency to strengthen both their pitching staff and infield.
Financially, the Yankees are absorbing roughly $22 million left on LeMahieu's contract through the 2026 season, including $15 million for next year. The infielder signed a six-year, $90 million contract with New York following his standout 2020 season, during which he hit .364 and became the first player in baseball's modern era to win batting titles in both leagues. His career with the Yankees, spanning from 2019 to 2025, includes a .278 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, 115 doubles, eight triples, 77 home runs, and 314 RBIs over 718 games.
LeMahieu's tenure with the Yankees was marked by consistent offensive production and clubhouse leadership, but the physical toll of injuries and the evolving needs of the team have brought his time in New York to an end. Cashman reflected on the difficult nature of the decision: "There's no right time to do any moves, but just felt like this probably isn't going to be the best circumstance moving forward. Obviously the last few years have been not what he or we had hoped for, but that's also part of the game. Injuries can change the dynamic and the equation altogether." Boone echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for LeMahieu's contributions and wishing him well in the next chapter of his career.
As the Yankees prepare for the trade deadline, the spotlight will remain on their efforts to bolster the roster. The search for a reliable third baseman, as well as pitching reinforcements, will be critical to maintaining competitiveness in a demanding American League East division. For now, the Yankees are navigating a transitional phase, bidding farewell to a respected veteran while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
