PHILADELPHIA — DJ LeMahieu quickly went from being a player on the court trying to get out of a bad situation to being a late-game substitute.
The Yankees’ veteran infielder was benched for a fourth straight game Monday before replacing Ben Rice as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning against left-handed reliever Gregory Soto in a 14-4 victory over the Phillies.
Oswaldo Cabrera had started all three games at third base against the Red Sox over the weekend before newly acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. got his first career start at the position Monday and looked comfortable while hitting two home runs.
LeMahieu, who appeared in all three games in Boston as Rice’s defensive replacement, is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday when the Yankees face left-hander Cris Sanchez.
But beyond that, his opportunities seem to be dwindling.
“I think it’s been a challenge for him,” manager Aaron Boone said before Monday’s game. “Obviously anything can happen in the next 24 hours, but we have a lefty on Wednesday. I expect him to be there. Then there’s going to be some matchups where he’ll have an opportunity to come back.”
“His glove off the bench is very important, his versatility. And then the fact that this guy is a great hitter. He’s working on some things. You don’t want to close the door on him to be able to unlock those things.”
LeMahieu, 36, who has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract after this season, entered Monday with a .176 batting average and a .490 OPS in 45 games.
His prolonged struggles — which came after he missed the first two months of the season with a non-displaced foot fracture — led the Yankees to trade for Chisholm and use him at third base, where he had never played professionally before Monday.
After stopping by Boone’s office Saturday at Fenway Park to make sure his manager knew he was still feeling strong, Luis Gil continued to look strong.
The rookie right-hander struck out eight while allowing three runs in 5 1/2 innings against a powerful Phillies lineup, with Boone saying he pitched “outstanding” and better than his line.
What about Gil’s meeting with Boone on Saturday?
“I just told him I felt ready for a long season, for a full season,” Gil said through an interpreter.
The Yankees designated Jahmai Jones for assignment Monday to make room for Giancarlo Stanton’s return from the injured list.
Jones, who was out of minor league options, had been with the Yankees since Opening Day but rarely played as a backup.
The 26-year-old infielder/outfielder hit .238 with a .685 OPS in 33 games, just 10 of which were starts.
He still had plenty of fans in the locker room for the energy he brought and could remain with the organization in Triple-A if he goes unclaimed.
The Yankees signed fourth-round pick Gage Ziehl, a right-hander from the University of Miami, on Monday.
Their only unsigned draft pick now is Cole Royer, a high school pitcher from Georgia, taken in the 20th round.
New York Post
