Yankees Designating 2x Batting Champion DJ LeMahieu for Assignment Ignites Bittersweet Reactions from Fans: “Its Time to Move On”

The New York Yankees would DFA DJ LeMahieu on Wednesday as the 36-year-old continued to struggle on the field.

Yankees Designating 2x Batting Champion DJ LeMahieu for Assignment Ignites Bittersweet Reactions from Fans: “Its Time to Move On”

DJ LeMahieu (Image via Newsweek)

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DJ LeMahieu‘s time with the New York Yankees is coming to an end. On Wednesday, the team officially designated him for assignment, a day after benching him and putting Jazz Chisholm Jr. back on the 2nd base.

Several times over the last couple of years, it seemed that the Yankees would make a move regarding him. The 36-year-old was having some trouble physically and was thus given a limited bench role.

In the recent weekend series against the New York Mets at Citi Field, manager Aaron Boone decided that Chisholm Jr. would go back to 2nd base. He was previously playing on the 3rd base while LeMahieu occupied the 2nd base position.

While speaking with the reporters on Wednesday, General Manager Brian Cashman expressed that he had a conversation with him regarding his health last winter. According to Cashman, LeMahieu was dealing with an issue related to his hip, which was making it difficult for him to play in the infield positions.

I just made a judgment call. There’s no right time to do any moves. But just felt like this probably isn’t going to be the best circumstance moving forward.

The Yankees did try to make LeMahieu play in the 3rd base position during the Spring Training. However, after just two games into this, he would strain his calf, which left him on the injured list until May.

In the 45 games this year, the 3-time MLB All-Star had a slash line of .266/.338/.336 with 2 home runs, 3 doubles, and 12 RBI. All of his defensive plays came from the 2nd base.

Social media reacts to DJ LeMahieu being DFA by the Yankees

On Wednesday, the New York Yankees finally decided to DFA DJ LeMahieu. Following constant health struggles, the team decided to part ways with one of their most experienced players and designated him for assignment.

DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu (Image via MLB)

This development from the Yankees ignited some bittersweet reactions from fans on social media. While there were few who were happy to see the team make this move, many were left sad and wished him well. One user on X wrote, “Its time to move on” while thanking him for his contributions.

Check out that and some other reactions from fans on X below:

After joining the Yankees on a two-year deal in 2019, LeMahieu signed a 6-year, $90 million deal in January 2021. The player who will turn 37 years old soon is owed approximately $22 million, including $15 million for the 2026 season.

NY Yankees recall Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A after DJ LeMahieu gets DFA

The New York Yankees are moving on from DJ LeMahieu. After designating him for assignment on Wednesday, the team recalled Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A.

DJ LeMahieu and Jorbit Vivas
DJ LeMahieu and Jorbit Vivas (Image via X/@FiresideYankees/NY Times)

Vivas was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders ahead of the 2025 season. After being called up to the roster in April, he was demoted again.

He was recalled again in May after Jazz Chisholm Jr. got injured. The 24-year-old would manage to play some games this time and hit his first home run of the season in a 1-0 shutout win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

After announcing the news regarding LeMahieu, Vivas was called up again to fill the spot left by him. It is expected that the Yankees would use the combination of him, Oswald Peraza, and J.C. Escarra for the 3rd base position.

The Yankees do have time till July 31 (the trade deadline) to acquire someone in a trade to replace LeMahieu. However, the team is expected to focus more on a starting and relief pitcher than another infielder.

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