DJ LeMahieu, Shaker graduate Tommy Kahnle rehab in Somerset in next steps toward return to Yankees

BRIDGEWATER — Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu progressed further in his rehab assignment Sunday afternoon at TD Bank Ballpark, playing five innings at third base for Double-A Somerset while batting 1-for-1 with an RBI single and three walks.

LeMahieu, who has yet to play for the Yankees this season after fracturing his right foot March 16 during spring training, upped his workload Sunday after playing three innings in his first rehab game Friday.

“I feel good offensively, defensively, and it’s just good to play baseball again,” LeMahieu said. “Baseball is one of those sports it’s hard to prepare for nine-inning games — up and down, up and down. It’s really hard to simulate, so it’s just good to be out there and test it out as much as I can.”

The three-time MLB All-Star converted his only fielding opportunity in the first inning Sunday on a hard grounder. He took a couple steps to his left before scooping the ball, performing a spin move and then firing to second base for an inning-ending force out.

In six total plate appearances between both games, LeMahieu reached base five times, saw 22 pitches and made contact on all six of his swings. He walked three straight times on 13 pitches Sunday before driving in No. 2 Yankees prospect Spencer Jones in the fifth inning with a line drive to left field.

“It was good to see him play,” LeMahieu said of Jones. “I saw him in spring training quite a bit. He’s good some ability, for sure.”

DJ LeMahieu singles in the bottom of the 5th to finish 1-for-1 with 3 walks in his second rehab game.

The Yankees infielder subbed out in the top of the 6th. He converted his only fielding chance on a hot-shot grounder in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/xYKIivcqRW

— Greg Johnson (@gregp_j) May 19, 2024

LeMahieu had ample opportunities to test his foot running the bases in the third inning, when he advanced to second and third on wild pitches and then slid into home on a sacrifice fly. He also scored a run in the fourth inning when he advanced from second to third on a groundout and then came home on an RBI double by Ben Cowles.

“I got a lot of base-running in today, and guys were getting on base and a lot of stuff happening on offense,” LeMahieu said. “I couldn’t have tested it any more than I did today, so it was good.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told the New York media Sunday that LeMahieu is scheduled to play in more rehab games Tuesday and Wednesday, have a day off Thursday, and then play in three games over the weekend. If all goes well, he could be activated for the Yankees’ series in Anaheim which begins May 28.

LeMahieu said he doesn’t yet know where his next rehab games will be. Somerset will be playing six games in New Hampshire this week, while Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is set to host Syracuse.

“The hardest part for me is taking it slow, but I know that’s the smartest thing to do,” LeMahieu said. “We’ve got some good trainers and people that are looking out and trying to do what’s best. It’s been a little slow process from how I thought, but I feel like I’m in a really good spot.”

LeMahieu was initially supposed to rehab in Somerset on April 19, but after an MRI, the Yankees delayed it until the Patriots traveled to Reading on April 23. LeMahieu lasted only one at-bat in that game before being removed because of a setback with his foot.

“I just wasn’t ready yet, but (I’m) hopefully past that and I feel really good,” LeMahieu said. “I’ve done my best to stay in shape and be ready for these couple games and for the rest of the year. Just staying as ready as I can.”

Whenever he does rejoin the Yankees, it’ll be LeMahieu’s first chance to bat in a game since the team added superstar outfielder Juan Soto in the offseason. The Yankees had an AL-leading 33-15 record as of Sunday.

“We look really good,” said LeMahieu, who has been with the organization since 2019. “We’re firing on all cylinders right now. I think every aspect of the game we look really good. Soto’s been great and guys are rolling, and they look really good.”

Tommy Kahnle, meanwhile, is expected to come off the injured list this week after making his fifth rehab appearance Sunday. The right-handed relief pitcher has also yet to play this season because of right shoulder inflammation.

Kahnle needed only 10 pitches to navigate the seventh inning with nine strikes, one groundout and two strikeouts.

In five perfect innings overall (three with Somerset and two with Tampa), Kahnle hurled 62 pitches for 23 swinging strikes and 11 strikeouts.

The 34-year-old pitched in 46 games with the Trenton Thunder during the 2013 season.