DJ LeMahieu planned on starting a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Friday, but the versatile infielder found himself in the Yankees’ clubhouse instead.
LeMahieu underwent a precautionary MRI on Thursday night. It showed that the non-displaced fracture in his right foot had healed, “but not quite what they were hoping for.”
“A couple doctors just didn’t feel comfortable yet,” LeMahieu said.
Added Aaron Boone: “They do feel like he is ready to go play, but as we’ve kind of talked about from the beginning, we’re not playing with this at all. We want to make sure DJ’s in a good spot when he does come back.”
The manager added that LeMahieu is “close to 100 percent,” but the Yankees are being “conservative.” The new plan is for LeMahieu to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
In the meantime, LeMahieu can keep doing baseball activities, including batting practice and groundballs.
“I feel ready to go,” he said. “Ready to get out and get in some games, but it shouldn’t be too much longer I guess.
“I’m frustrated, but I’m ready to go.”
BYE BYE BURDI
Another Yankees reliever hit the shelf on Friday, as Nick Burdi is dealing with right hip inflammation.
The Yankees placed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list. The move is retroactive to April 17.
Burdi, who has a 0.00 ERA over 6.1 innings this season, first felt discomfort on the final pitch of his last outing on April 16. Boone said the injury is “fairly minor,” but Burdi has a long injury history. With that in mind, the Yankees didn’t want to put him in a position where his arm had to overcompensate.
Boone said Burdi has started taking some medicine, and the hope is that he’ll start ramping up again in a “handful of days.”
Another righty, Cody Morris, took Burdi’s spot in the bullpen. Acquired from Cleveland for Estevan Florial over the offseason, Morris had a 1.93 ERA over 9.1 innings at Triple-A.
Boone said the pitcher, who has 13 games of MLB experience, could give the Yankees more length than Burdi could.
A NEW FACE
The Yankees also added outfielder Taylor Trammell to the active roster after claiming him from the Dodgers on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Kevin Smith was designated for assignment.
A former top prospect, Trammell is a .165 career hitter over 121 MLB games with the Mariners and Dodgers. The left-handed swinger has some speed and has shown pop in the minors. He can also play all three outfield positions.
Boone said Trammell will fill a reserve role and could be used as a pinch-runner.
“It’s an opportunity to get a talented player,” Boone said. “This is a guy that’s been a big-time prospect in his career. Hasn’t really translated at the big league level yet, but it’s a 26-year-old, talented kid.”