Spring training is supposed to be about fine-tuning for the season, but for the Yankees, it’s turning into an injury roll call. DJ LeMahieu is the latest casualty, tweaking his calf over the weekend. Unfortunately, this isn’t unfamiliar territory—after managing just 67 games last season due to injuries, LeMahieu might be kicking off 2025 from the IL yet again.

If that was not enough, the Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s update about him is more confusing. While a concrete update about the veteran pitcher is awaited, questions have been raised regarding LeMahieu’s capacity to maintain his health and make a meaningful contribution at age 36. A vital member of the Yankees, DJ LeMahieu has suffered from injuries in recent years, which have reduced his playing time and affected his on-field performance. Is it then the right time to go for an alternative? Who can be the probable alternative in the 2025 lineup for the Yankees? 

“We’ll see what we have… it’s at least a little concerning,” said Boone after Saturday’s game. While “little concerning” might indicate nothing major with LeMahieu, “we will see what we have,” pointing out the search for a better alternative to the veteran. The whole scene with LeMahieu proves why the Yankees are left behind this year behind teams like the Dodgers. This offseason, the Yankees have failed to address the problems at third base and instead placed a great deal of faith in LeMahieu’s ability to recover from injuries. So, what’s ahead for the Bronx Bombers this year?

The Yankees’ answer to LeMahieu

Who is gonna replace DJ LeMahieu in the Yankees? The team has a few potent options. They got their utility player Oswaldo Cabrera to replace LeMaheiu. He is the all-purpose player for the Bombers. Cabrera is likely to be the substitution if someone in the starting lineup needs a day off or is unable to play due to an injury. Well, Cabrera already replaced LeMahieu once last year. When DJ LeMahieu was placed on the injured list because of a fractured bone in his right foot last year, the Yankees needed him at third base against the Astros. Cabrera performed admirably, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Thus, the option is well available with the Yankees and might be one of the reasons for Boone to stay “little concerned” about LeMaheiu. He is now 36, and there might be a year or two left for him in the circuit. Getting a younger replacement for the veteran is thus the right thing to do now for the Yankees. This year, they are already acting as the third fiddle behind the Dodgers and Mets, and a few young bloods can fuse better athleticism to the team. Paul Goldschmidt at 1B, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the second, and Cabrera at the third can be the best plate formation for the Yankees this year.

The Yankees will have to figure out life without DJ LeMahieu—for now, at least. But looking ahead, it’s clear they need fresh legs in the lineup. Could this be the push they need to inject some young talent?

What do you think? Should the Yankees start planning for life beyond LeMahieu?