TAMPA — DJ LeMahieu stood in front of his locker Sunday as he has more times than he’d care to, addressing his latest injury.
He’d yet to get an MRI exam on the left calf that forced him out of his first spring training game Saturday, but said it remained sore.
“It’s probably gonna be a little bit before I start doing baseball stuff again,’’ LeMahieu said.
The latest injury came after an offseason in which the 36-year-old said he focused more on how to stay healthy and worked on flexibility in his lower leg area than on typical baseball activity.
The change in his offseason routine came after several years of being impacted by injuries, including numerous foot issues that have not only robbed him of playing time, but also effectiveness on both sides of the ball.
The injury LeMahieu suffered Saturday in his second at-bat of the spring came when he felt a twinge in his calf on his way to first base as he popped out against the Astros at Steinbrenner Field.
The thoughts that raced through his mind at the time were likely similar to those of Yankee fans. “‘Are you kidding me,’” LeMahieu said of his immediate reaction. “‘Are you serious right now? Is this a sick joke?’”
As of Sunday morning, LeMahieu said there was no timeline for his return, although he added, “It’s not anything major.”
At this point, though, it’s hard not to fear the worst when it comes to LeMahieu and lower body injuries.
He addressed his recent injury history earlier in the spring, hopeful he would be able to stay healthy and get back to the productive player he’d been in the past.
LeMahieu’s tone was different Sunday.
“I wanted to come in here this spring and prove I’m healthy,’’ LeMahieu said. “I’m not off to the hottest start with that.”
With the Yankees having not added a third baseman to their roster, the competition in camp for the spot figured to include LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza.
LeMahieu’s chances took a hit with the calf injury, but with two years and $30 million remaining on his contract, he repeatedly said he believed he could still be a valuable member of the team going forward.
“I definitely feel very confident in myself,’’ LeMahieu said. “That hasn’t wavered at all. But at the same time, I keep getting blows. It’s discouraging, for sure. I know I’ve got something to give this team if I can stay healthy.”
Unfortunately for LeMahieu and the Yankees, that’s now a big “if.”
Asked how that can change, LeMahieu said, “That’s a hard question to answer. I feel like I spend a lot of time and effort trying to get right and stay right. I don’t know if there’s an answer, but I’ll definitely keep going and do my best to get out there and help this team.”
