Yankees player DJ LeMahieu suffers terrible injury scare before Rockies game

DJ LeMahieu's career-worst season just got even more brutal. The two-time batting champion “took a ball to the face during warmups,” went down in pain, and was examined by the New York Yankees' training staff, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

Fortunately, he got to his feet and walked to the clubhouse, seemingly avoiding a serious injury. Despite this, LeMahieu was left out of the lineup for Friday's home game against the Colorado Rockies, Talkin' Yanks reports. He was slotted ninth in the lineup and moved to first base to make room for the returning Jazz Chisholm Jr. Rookie Ben Rice will take his place.

Injuries and natural decline in performance have taken their toll on the three-time All-Star in recent years, but 2024 is LeMahieu's clear low point. He has a batting average of .189, a total of seven extra-base hits and a WAR of -1.6 after 62 games. After a sensational first two years in the pinstripe jersey, the Yankees signed him to a six-year, $90 million contract extension before the 2021 season.

Needless to say, this investment does not look good.

Can DJ LeMahieu find a way to help the Yankees?

The 36-year-old has surprisingly transformed from a stalwart at the top of the batting order to an offensive liability. Given his age, there was always a risk the contract would backfire for general manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees, but few would have reasonably expected Father Time to have such a quick and firm grip on LeMahieu.

Fans have barely been able to watch the fights and he's obviously found them unbearable. This latest injury is just another reason for the avalanche of on-field adversity that has befallen DJ LeMahieu. His health is of the utmost importance so let's hope he recovers quickly.

If the four-time Gold Glover is fit this weekend, a meeting with the Rockies (47-81) may be just the revival his 2024 season needs.

Alex House is a sportswriter who covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for ClutchPoints and has a unique writing style thanks to his extensive knowledge of New York sports. Alex lives in Connecticut after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in journalism.