DJ LeMahieu returned to his Michigan home in June, intending to spend a few summer evenings chatting on the porch with his father, Tom. Before that reunion, the Yankees infielder opted for a precautionary coronavirus test, saying that he was “shocked” when the results came back as positive.
“I didn’t really have any symptoms,” LeMahieu said on Saturday. “I’m very surprised I tested positive. I was lucky; I wasn’t really in contact with hardly anyone. When I got the news, I really didn’t do a whole lot. I just kind of hung out and tried to get those negative tests to get back here soon as I could.”
LeMahieu estimated that he needed to take 11 or 12 tests over a span of two to three weeks before receiving the required two negative results, which came at least 24 hours apart. LeMahieu said that he resumed hitting off a tee prior to his arrival at Summer Camp this week, and as he continues to increase his on-field activity, the 32-year-old infielder believes he could be ready for Opening Day on Thursday against the Nationals.
“I think it’s a possibility,” said LeMahieu, who worked out at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. “I don’t know if it’s realistic or not. … I think I’m going to be pretty close. If it’s not Opening Day, it’ll definitely be the first few games. We’ll see how these next few days go. For me, it’s just going to be the live at-bats; the more I can get, the more ready I’ll be.”
DJLM is in the house ? pic.twitter.com/WqJ0vV4qxS
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 17, 2020
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].