'He's Back, Baby': Yankees Gush About DJ LeMahieu's Return From COVID-19

NEW YORK – When Aaron Judge took to the podium for the first time at Spring Training, nearly five months ago, the loss to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series the previous fall still stung in his gut. 

His mind wandered back to the ninth inning of Game 6. Two outs away from elimination, Judge recalled looking on as DJ LeMahieu ripped a two-run opposite-field homer to keep the Yankees' season alive.

"After he hit that, I was sitting on deck thinking we’re winning it all," Judge said back in February. "Next thing, you know, to come up short like that, it was pretty tough."

The Yankees' magical season came to an end moments later, but LeMahieu's performance in 2019 won't soon be forgotten. The Bombers' utilityman was the best position player in a stacked, high-octane lineup that scored the most runs in all of Major League Baseball last year.

Therefore, it's safe to say that pit in Judge's stomach popped up across the Yankees' entire clubhouse when the team learned LeMahieu was unable to join the Bombers at Summer Camp after testing positive for COVID-19.

"He's our table setter," Luke Voit said on Thursday. "He's one of the best players in the game and he had a great year last year."

Up until Wednesday night, it seemed inevitable that New York would have to replace LeMahieu at the top of the order and at second base early on during this summer's truncated campaign. 

Although LeMahieu has been asymptomatic while carrying the virus, with the clock ticking closer to Opening Day with every passing workout, the likelihood of No. 26 taking the field on July 23 had grown dimmer each day.

That all changed on Thursday. LeMahieu's teammates and manager addressed reports that the star would be rejoining the club in the Bronx before the end of the week. 

How did they know for sure? Well, he's already there. 

"He's back, baby," Voit said, allowing a smirk creep across his face.

LeMahieu's numbers speak for themselves. In 145 games played, the veteran hit .327 with 26 home runs, 109 runs scored and 102 runs batted in. He led the Bombers in hits with 197, compiling 47 more base knocks than Gleyber Torres, who had the second-best total on the team.

Asked what impresses him the most about LeMahieu's game, Voit explained how it's virtually impossible to get him out. 

"Up in the zone, down in the zone, breaking balls, changeups, any type of pitch, I feel like he can hit and it makes pitchers try to overthink and then they end up making mistakes and he makes them pay," the Yankees' first baseman said. "It can be a base hit on the ground or a home run, the guy is very versatile when it comes to where he hits it and it's fun to watch."

His production wasn't limited to the offensive side of the ball. As outfielder Mike Tauchman explained, in addition to his presence at the top of the Yankees' lineup, LeMahieu provides invaluable versatility and reliability on defense. 

"From a defensive standpoint, just to solidify the infield, I think he's shown Gold Glove ability at three positions," Tauchman said.

He's not wrong. Although LeMahieu didn't win a Gold Glove Award in 2019, he's already got three to his name across his nine-year career. In 1,241 2/3 combined innings at first, second and third base last year, LeMahieu made a total of just eight errors. 

Manager Aaron Boone is undoubtedly overjoyed at the prospect of having LeMahieu at his disposal come Opening Day, but for now, he's doing his best to stay grounded. With less than a week to go before New York's opener, there's no guarantee just yet that LeMahieu will be penciled in on Boone's first lineup card of the 2020 regular season.

The same goes for reliever Luis Cessa who also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to MLB's Spring Training reboot. 

"Until we see them, see how they’re responding and see how they’re feeling and we make those evaluations, I wouldn't want to speculate," the skipper said.

In the meantime, the Bombers are buzzing at camp. This team recognizes what it's capable of achieving this season and LeMahieu is an integral component if those in pinstripes want to be the last ballplayers standing come October. 

"I'm glad he's back just in the nick of time and I know he's going to be ready," Voit said. "He's a guy that studies the game and is always making sure he's prepared. I'm excited to have him back, man. 

"The Machine is finally back."

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For more from Max Goodman, follow him on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. Follow ITP on Twitter @SI_Yankees and Facebook @SIYankees