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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LeMahieu shines just as Yankees set to debut new infield
LeMahieu shines just as Yankees set to debut new infield originally appeared on Athlon Sports. DJ LeMahieu's first four-hit game since 2021 came just in time. on With Jazz Chisholm Jr. returning from the injured list on Tuesday, the pressure was going to be on the LeMahieu to produce before a potential infield shake up at the trade deadline. Advertisement Chisholm agreed to move to third base, allowing LeMahieu to stay at second. But it's clear the veteran's spot isn't guaranteed if his bat doesn't start coming around. The Yankees have made it known they have loyalty to LeMahieu, but they need a right-handed bat that can produce. When asked about Chisholm's return, LeMahieu was not about to add flames to the controversy. New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu prepares to hit against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025.© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images 'I'm just excited to have him back. Kind of like wherever, wherever, kind of the pieces fit,' he said. Asked about his defensive comfort at second base, LeMahieu responded, 'Yeah, I feel I am moving good defensively. I feel really good.' Advertisement LeMahieu missed nearly six weeks this season recovering from a strained calf. Since winning his second batting title in 2020, LeMahieu signed a six-year, $90 million deal with the Yankees. But injuries and inconsistent production have defined the years since. He now has two years left on his contract. In 2025, LeMahieu has appeared in 38 games, batting .213 with a .276 on-base percentage and a .297 slugging percentage, resulting in a .573 OPS. His walk rate has dipped to 7.5%, and his strikeout rate has risen to 23.9%. Defensively, he has been steady with a +3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at second base, but the offensive slump is clear. Sunday's four-hit game was a reminder that LeMahieu won the batting title in both the National and American Leagues. He was such a steady producer at the plate that he was nicknamed "The Machine." The Yankees need to see more of that if they are to keep him as their everyday second baseman. Advertisement With Chisholm back at third and LeMahieu hoping to regain form, the Yankees will have to evaluate the infield dynamic carefully as the trade deadline approaches. Related: Yankees Win Overshadowed by Concerning Injury Update from Manager Related: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Ready to Return and Play Third Base for Yankees This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Pirates' Oneil Cruz Walks, Runs, and Throws His Way Into MLB Superstardom
The Pittsburgh Pirates' success this season may rest largely on the shoulders of their star center fielder, Oneil Cruz. To say the Pirates are going through a rough patch this early in their 2025 season is an understatement. Currently in fifth place in the National League Central with a 12–23 record, the 26-man roster is struggling in all areas of their game. After Sunday's 4–0 loss to the San Diego Padres in their home park in Pittsburgh, the Pirates packed up after the sixth game of the homestand for a mid-week three-game set on the road with the St. Louis Cardinals. Perhaps, the only consolation is that the Cardinals are—barely—above the Pirates in the division standings. Pittsburgh is 27th out of the 30 MLB clubs in hitting, with the Pirates collectively registering a .223 average. Yet, even after being shut out by opposing clubs six times and off to an organization's worst start since 2006, there are 'silver linings' to be found. Beyond the team's four-game losing streak and having lost eight of their last 10 games, individual players are performing at levels that offer hope for a turnaround. Center fielder Oneil Cruz is among the group being counted on—not just for this season but for seasons to come—to be a consistent thorn in the side of opposing pitching staffs and slow-throwing catchers. On the base paths, Cruz, 26, has already stolen 14 bases—without being caught stealing after 29 games—for the best numbers in both the National and American Leagues after Sunday's games. His 26 walks and 27 hits demonstrate how important it is for the Pirates' manager, Derek Shelton, to keep Cruz in the leadoff spot. In what will be his second full season with Pittsburgh, Cruz must set the table for the rest of the lineup to try to reverse the current losing trend and help put the club on a hot streak. 'His newfound patience at the plate is giving opposing pitchers fits. If you pitch to him, he might hit the ball 120 mph and 450 feet. If you walk him, there's a good chance he's going to steal second,' Rob King, studio host for Pirates' pre- and post-game TV broadcasts on SportsNet Pittsburgh, told The Epoch Times. Related Stories 5/3/2025 5/3/2025 Since Cruz's return from sitting out much of the 2023 season after fracturing his left fibula while sliding into home plate in a game against the Chicago White Sox, Cruz has continued to improve dramatically in all aspects of the game. His transition to center field from his regular shortstop position late last August by Pirates' management remains a work in progress. But progress is evident. Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has belted four leadoff home runs this season. Courtesy of Don Laible Six weeks into the 2025 season, Cruz has belted four leadoff home runs and walked 11 times in the last 10 games. His 24 total walks—Cruz was walked intentionally twice—going into Sunday's game, have Cruz tied for 11th place. In last Saturday's game, he walked four times, for the second time this season. Indeed, he is the only position player to have walked four times in two games in 2025. Since 2022, only Cruz and New York Yankees' Aaron Judge have equaled this accomplishment. Cruz's 'sharp eye' at the plate continues to make him a double threat for opposing pitchers, either by getting on base via a walk or letting his quick bat spray the ball all over the outfield. With an average bat speed of 78.7 mph, combined with an average exit velocity once making a connection with the ball of 96.8 mph, Cruz's batting average of .252 can be deceiving. The book opposing clubs keep on the Pirates is also well aware of the center fielder's strong throwing arm. A couple of seasons back, Cruz threw what was then the hardest by an infielder for an out—at 97.8 mph. In MLB slang, Cruz possesses a 'cannon' for a right arm. With the 95th MLB All-Star Game coming up this summer, whether voted in by fans or selected as a reserve, Cruz is making a strong case to represent the Pirates in Atlanta on July 15. The Mid-Summer Classic, pitting the best players of the National and American Leagues against each other, will take place at Atlanta's Truist Park. Among his strongest boosters is his father, Rafael Cruz. Cruz Sr., a former Texas Rangers' minor leaguer in the mid-1980s, has worked for several years in the MLB offseason to help his son perfect his all-around game. The younger Cruz, a regular participant in the Dominican Winter League for the past five seasons, credits his dad's training methods as being the most influential. Coming from the southeastern part of the Dominican Republic, also from Nizao, the same hometown as Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and current Arizona Diamondback Ketel Marte, Cruz has not taken his foot off the proverbial gas pedal when it comes to strengthening his skills. At 6-foot-7 and 240 lbs, Cruz is an intimidating force for any pitcher standing 60 feet 6 inches away. Quick with his bat and his arm, and fast on his feet, Cruz is developing a leadership role among his teammates. He leads by example. The Pirates, before returning home for a weekend series with the Atlanta Braves, need to win at least two of three in St. Louis. To snap the losing streak and turn things around, Cruz needs to be the instigator. Given his penchant for finding a way to get on base, there's little doubt that he won't steer the Pirates' ship into winning waters.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australian Hendriks gives up home run in MLB comeback
Liam Hendriks could see the bright side in his harsh return to Major League Baseball. The Australian pitcher was dealt with severely in his one inning of relief pitching on Monday morning (AEST) as he finally made his Boston Red Sox debut. It is 681 days since Hendriks last played in the majors. Liam Hendriks takes the mound for the first time in 681 days 💛 — MLB (@MLB) April 20, 2025 Hendriks gave up a single and a two-run home run in the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox, his former team, beat the Red Sox 8-4 at Boston's Fenway Park. "There were some good things to take from it and some not-so-great things to take from it," Hendriks told the Boston Globe. "Now I can say I've got out there. Now I can say I pitched for the Boston Red Sox." The right-hander reliever was brought in with Boston trailing 5-4 at the top of the eighth. First White Sox centre fielder Luis Robert Jr welcomed him back to the "bigs" with a lead-off single, then first base Andrew Vaughn belted a 405-foot homer over Fenway's famed Green Monster in left field. Hendriks also had a strike-out in his one inning on the mound. His return came a day after the 36-year-old was elevated to the Red Sox roster. This is his first major league appearance since June 9, 2023, when he was still with the White Sox. It is his 14th major league season, already an Australian record. Hendriks was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2022, and the three-time All-Star returned to the mound with the White Sox on May 29 the following year. He made five appearances and went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, then had Tommy John surgery on August 2, 2023. After that season, he was voted the American Leagues comeback player of the year. Hendriks then joined the Red Sox and made six minor-league rehab appearances last August and three this spring. The Red Sox activated him from the 15-day injured list on Sunday (AEST).
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie pitcher returns after 680 days on the sidelines
Liam Hendriks knew the number as if it was his career saves or pitching ERA: 680 days. The 36-year-old Australian right-handed reliever is back on a Major League Baseball roster with the Boston Red Sox, in position to make his first big league appearance since June 9, 2023. When he plays, it will be Hendriks' 14th season in the "bigs" and the firebrand pitcher already holds the record for the most major league seasons by an Australian. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liam Hendriks (@hendriks_31) "It feels like at least a thousand (days)," Hendriks said of his time out, smiling in the middle of the clubhouse. "It feels a lot longer than that. It's been a long and arduous journey to get here." Hendriks was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2022 and the three-time All-Star returned to the mound with the Chicago White Sox on May 29 the following year. He made five appearances and went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and had Tommy John surgery on August 2 in 2023. After that season, he was voted the American Leagues comeback player of the year. Hendriks then joined the Red Sox and made six minor league rehab appearances last August and three this spring. The Red Sox activated him from the 15-day injured list on Saturday. He just missed an opportunity to pitch to infielder Curtis Mead, the other Australian currently on a major league roster, with the Red Sox's series against the Tampa Bay Rays ending last week. A popular player known for charitable work, including providing T-shirts for team employees at last year's season-ending staff party, Hendriks questioned his own ability during spring training. "Even when I was 96 (mph) in spring, they were taking way too comfortable swings on it and that was one thing that was really hampering me," Hendriks said. "It was really a mental struggle to figure out what the difference was." An All-Star with Oakland in 2019 and the White Sox in 2021 and '22, Hendriks couldn't figure out what he was doing differently after the surgery. Liam Hendriks, @RedSox pitcher on rehab tonight for Portland, rented a food truck for his whole team. And all of the Yard Goats. And everyone who works at Dunkin' Park. Pretty classy. — Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) April 16, 2025 "All the data said it was similar but it's really hard to define the things that made me as far as pitching," he said. "One of things that gave me the ability to do well was the jump to the fastball and having that jump where it plays up a little bit and gets on guys." When he was sidelined, his wife Kristi pushed him to return to the field. "A lot of it is just showing up every day and making sure you just get that little bit better," he said. "That and the disdain from my wife (from) still being on the IL (injured list) - that was one of the motivating factors, as well." - with AP
