We are only eight days away from Opening Day and the New York Yankees still don't know what their starting lineup in going to be.
Already dealing with injuries to stars Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, the Yankees received additional terrible injury news on Tuesday that third baseman DJ LeMahieu would miss some time due to a "pretty significant bone bruise" on his foot.
Given his age and history of foot injuries, LeMahieu's status worried Yankees fans ahead of the 2024 regular season.
However, the veteran alleviated some of those concerns on Wednesday, keeping the door open for a return on Opening Day, according to Yankees insider Bryan Hoch.
Yankees News: DJ LeMahieu Could Return Sooner Than Expected
DJ LeMahieu (bone bruise in foot) isn’t ruling out being in the lineup for Opening Day. “I’ve had a good spring training. I’ve had plenty of at-bats. I’m pretty much ready.”
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 20, 2024
The Bronx Bombers are scheduled to play the Houston Astros on Thursday, Mar. 28. LeMahieu will almost certainly not play in any of the remaining Grapefruit League games until then but he sounds optimistic about a potential return for the Opening Day.
Saying that he had a good spring training with plenty of at-bats, the All-Star infielder feels ready to go. Even if he misses the first game of the season, it sounds like the injury shouldn't sideline him for much longer.
If LeMahieu were to miss any extended time, Oswaldo Cabrera is likely to start in his stead.
The New York Yankees currently have the second-best odds in the AL (+400) to make the World Series, behind the Houston Astros. They will need their stars healthy and available for the season to make a run for it.
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