Former Batting Champion Hits Home Run in First Minor League Rehab Game

D.J. LeMahieu, rehabbing with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, went 2-for-3 with a homer in first game back as he rehabs from a calf issue. It's unclear when he'll be back in the fold for the New York Yankees.

New York Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) hits the ball against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. | David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former New York Yankees' batting champion D.J. LeMahieu got off to a good start on his rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday.

LeMahieu, who has been out the whole season with a calf issue, went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs.

"DJ LeMahieu on his way back to the Bronx!"

The @Yankees infielder crushes one to straightaway center in his first rehab game with the @SOMPatriots. pic.twitter.com/hcicW9IaEL

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 22, 2025

LeMahieu is heading into his 14th major league season with the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he's a lifetime .289 hitter who won the National League batting title in 2016 (.348) and the American League batting title in the COVID-shortened 2020 season (.364).

He also has seven separate seasons of double-digit home runs in his career.

LeMahieu played in just 67 games last season for the Yankees, hitting only .204 as he battled other injuries, so this who saga has surely been a frustrating development for a player who was hoping to remain healthy.

In addition to his strong batting averages, LeMahieu has 124 career home runs. He hit a career-high 26 with the Yankees back in 2019.

New York enters play on Wednesday at 14-10 overall and in first place in the American League East. They'll finish out a series with the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday before starting a home series on Friday with the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto is currently 12-12 and has lost four consecutive games entering a game against the Astros on Wednesday.

Somerset will continue its series with the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies) on Wednesday. It's unknown how long LeMahieu will need on his rehab assignment.

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