Coming off his second two-hit game in the past week, DJ LeMahieu still had a one-word description of how this season has gone for him so far: “Brutal.”
Most fans would agree with that evaluation of LeMahieu, who turns 36 next week and dealt with toe and foot injuries each of the past three seasons.
And he has looked bad on the basepaths in a pair of recent games, leading Aaron Boone to suggest that he may have been “a little beat up.”
Prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Red Sox in The Bronx, LeMahieu said that wasn’t the case.
“I’m good,’’ LeMahieu said.
While he may feel OK after missing the first two months of the season with a fracture in his right foot, LeMahieu has been one of the many issues in the lineup outside of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
Of all position players with at least 110 plate appearances heading into Tuesday, only Martin Maldonado of the White Sox and Jose Abreu — released by Houston last month — had a worse slugging percentage than LeMahieu’s .210.
LeMahieu’s only two extra-base hits of the season before doubling in the sixth inning Sunday night came during a three-game stretch last week, but his power has mostly been absent — with 17 singles.
For an offense desperate for length beyond their two All-Star sluggers and some contributions from Anthony Volpe early in the season and Ben Rice of late, LeMahieu’s continued slump has hurt.
He was in the lineup against right-hander Kutter Crawford on Sunday, batting ninth for a third straight game.
“You just keep going,’’ LeMahieu said. “I felt good [Saturday], but the results haven’t been there and that’s hard, especially when the team is going through what it is. You’ve got to keep working.”
LeMahieu played in just seven minor league rehab games before he returned from his foot injury in late May.
Asked if he may have needed more time before returning to the majors, LeMahieu noted he didn’t have much preparation time for the 2020 season when his summer camp was cut short by a bout with COVID.
“I don’t think that’s why I haven’t been able to do more,’’ LeMahieu said. “I feel close, but the numbers don’t show that.”
He’s hoping to turn his season around soon.
“I feel good in the box, I feel competitive and ready to go,” LeMahieu said. “And I’m ready to help the team.”