For years, DJ LeMahieu was everything the New York Yankees needed—steady, versatile, and a good performer, always getting the job done. But after a quiet and emotional few days in the Bronx, the team has officially now designated him for assignment, and with that, his pinstriped chapter comes to an unexpected close.
Now, this move did not come out of thin air. But this didn’t make it any easier, right? LeMahieu’s body didn’t hold up. After signing a six-year $90 million contract, he dealt with plenty of lower leg issues. None more impactful than the toe injury that derailed his season.
And though he made his return this spring, DJ never quite looked like the old version of himself. He went back to second base for the Yankees, but he struggled a lot. He had been showing signs of life since May, but it seemed like the Yankees front office was done with him. The plan was for LeMahieu to hold third base, but Boone admitted that even that position has become too demanding for LeMahieu to hold down.
Brian Cashman explains why the Yankees’ roster configuration with DJ LeMahieu on the team was “not something I could leave comfortably” pic.twitter.com/R6fpDSMMIB
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 9, 2025
Yankee’s manager Boone, talking to the press, said, “I think it’s just, you know, for him it’s a demanding spot. He really felt that last year. So I think it was going to be a challenge for him. That said, I think he was willing to start working over there and become a real option for us. But again, as the last few days unfolded, looking at our roster, looking at what the next few weeks could unveil, Cash and I decided today was probably the day to go ahead and do it.” And as far as how the conversation with DJ went regarding this, Boone mentioned it was going to be a challenge; the conversations were difficult, but they—focus word—“mutually” got through it.
As for Cashman, he too echoed Boone’s sentiment. “It’s not something I could leave,” he said, mentioning that the New York Yankees roster now looks good. “So as we walk through it, walk through it, we ultimately made a tough decision, and that led to a roster change today.”
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