Getty Image / Julio Aguilar
Major League Baseball Opening Day is nearly upon us, assuming you don’t count last week’s Dodgers-Padres games played overseas. Hope springs eternal for all thirty major league clubs this time of year.
The 2024 New York Yankees had a huge offseason, bringing in superstar slugger Juan Soto to anchor the lineup. But, a few injuries to key players heading into opening day has dampened some enthusiasm for the new season.
Of course, the biggest injury that has happened to a Yankee is the arm trouble that reigning Cy Young winner and team ace Gerrit Cole has. Cole is facing what has been described as elbow nerve inflammation and edema. That’s going to shut down arguably the most valuable member of the team for at least a few weeks. The plan is to hopefully start throwing then and possibly make a return sometime in Late May.
Anytime a team loses its ace, it’s not good. And, it doesn’t look great now that general manager Brian Cashman didn’t land a top-flight starting pitcher in free agency.
When a team does lose its ace, it knows it’s going to have to get some extra production out of the lineup to make up for it. But, the New York Yankees will be without veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu to start the season.
DLJM, as his name is shortened to by baseball fans, will start the season on the Injured List with a bone bruise in his right foot. He suffered the injury by fouling a pitch off the foot on March 16. While he tried to get back for the start of the season and has been taking some infield practice, it’s just not quite going to happen for the vet.
That’s definitely a blow to the Yankees’ lineup as they look to get off to a fast start in what should be a very competitive American League East. LeMahieu, a two-time top-four AL MVP finisher, didn’t have a great year at the plate last year, with just 96 OPS+. But, he can play three positions in the infield and has Gold Glove credentials, while still being a guy who can hit for a high average, hit the ball into gaps, and get hot and carry an offense.
The Yankees were counting on him to man 3rd base most days. Now, that job will fall to Oswaldo Cabrera, who had a dismal 58 OPS+ last season.
The Bronx Bombers open up on Thursday against their nemesis, the Houston Astros, in Houston.