Brian Cashman believes the Yankees now have a sufficient explanation for the significant dropoff in DJ LeMahieu’s offensive production this season.
LeMahieu, who batted just .268 after winning a batting title in 2020 and leading the league with a 1.011 OPS, recently underwent core surgery to address the sports hernia that kept him out of the team’s Wild Card Game loss at Fenway Park, and out of most of New York’s crucial regular season finale against the Rays. Cashman, speaking with reporters on Monday, hinted that it was something the 32-year-old was battling through for much of the season.
“He was battling a core injury that he’s gotten surgically repaired,” Cashman said. “It’s an eight-week recovery, Dr. Myers performed it in Philadelphia. Obviously he’ll be ready to go by spring training.”
The outlook isn’t as positive for Jameson Taillon, who suffered a partially torn tendon in his right ankle in early September. Taillon returned but left his first start back after reaggravating the injury, and will now require surgery that will keep him out five months.
Cashman said Taillon will undergo surgery on Oct. 28, and the hope is that he will be game ready in five months, which will be during the latter portions of spring training.
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Aaron Hicks’ injury woes continued with a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist in late May, which caused him to miss the rest of the 2021 season. Cashman said the center fielder is finishing off his recovery and hopes to play winter ball, but regardless if he does or not, he should be ready to go by November or December.
Luke Voit, who saw his season end with a knee injury in what was his fourth IL stint of the season, isn’t expected to need surgery and will be “full bore” in preparations for next season, per Cashman.
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