WASHINGTON – The Yankees are getting reinforcements at first base in the form of Anthony Rizzo, possibly as early as this weekend.
Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu started his fourth consecutive game at the position as the Yankees faced their fourth consecutive left-handed starter in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Nationals.
The struggling veteran went 5-for-13 with a pair of sacrifice flies in four games, but his 1-for-3 on Wednesday night included an inning-ending double play to end a rally before he was replaced as a pinch hitter by Oswaldo Cabrera in a ninth-inning rally.
Overall, LeMahieu has been a shadow of his former self this year after starting the season late due to a non-displaced foot fracture.
The 36-year-old, whose contract runs for two years and $30 million after this season, finished Wednesday with a batting average of .202 and an OPS of .526 in 225 at-bats.
“His season was a little different in that regard — obviously track record is important,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game when asked at what point results would be important for LeMahieu as he continues to face left-handed pitchers. “He was obviously in a bit of a pickle early in the year because of injuries. So you really want to let things develop on their own so you can make sound decisions going forward.”
Meanwhile, Rizzo started his second consecutive rehab game at first base for Double-A Somerset on Wednesday – striking out twice before play was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the fifth inning – and was scheduled to return to New York on Thursday so the Yankees could reevaluate his status.
Boone was noncommittal when asked if Rizzo could play this weekend against the Cardinals, who will field three right-handed pitchers.
Rizzo was originally scheduled to stay off first base until this weekend after starting his rehab assignment by playing exclusively as a DH, but he recently underwent additional testing that resulted in doctors clearing him to play in the field.
Boone mentioned that he plans to start Ben Rice at first base on Friday against Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde, although the rookie is expected to be sent to Triple-A when Rizzo returns.
Clarke Schmidt (latency strain) made his second rehab start on Wednesday night, this time for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and improved to 58 pitches while recording five strikeouts and allowing one run in three innings.
Boone said Schmidt will “probably” attend at least one more rehab workout (probably next Tuesday) before potentially rejoining the team.
Luis Gil (lower back strain) came through batting practice on Tuesday and is expected to begin rehab training on Sunday. If all goes well, he will then return on Sept. 6 against the Cubs.
In the meantime, Will Warren is expected to replace Gil again on Saturday against the Cardinals in the Bronx.
Lou Trivino (UCL surgery) and Ian Hamilton (latent muscle strain) have not yet had to play in consecutive games during their respective rehab assignments, but Boone said that is not necessarily a requirement before the Yankees activate them.
And what about your colleague Scott Effross, who has completed his rehab but still has to shake off some rust from Tommy John and back surgery?
“I think he’s been doing a really good job for a couple of weeks now, things are looking up,” Boone said. “So he’s knocking on the door.”