DJ LeMahieu could rejoin Yankees next week, but that's not a sure thing

In the best-case scenario, DJ LeMahieu said he could be back by Sept. 20 when the Yankees start a homestand against the Pirates.

But in listening to the infielder, placed on the injured list this past week with a right big toe injury,  it certainly doesn’t sound as if LeMahieu is close to anything relating to best-case.

“I think probably later in this road trip,” he said of the baseball activities the club has planned for him in the coming days. “I don't know [about] swinging, but just kind of moving around a little bit more.”

LeMahieu's inability to swing effectively  — he does not appear super-close to doing so, even as he said “I feel better” — suggests the injury is taking its time to heal.

And it is for that reason, perhaps, that Aaron Boone took a cautious tone regarding the possibility that LeMahieu will be ready at some point during the club’s next homestand.

“Yeah, we'll see,” Boone said. “We'll just kind of see how he's doing, what treatments they're able to do. Are there some that kind of give him that relief that he needs? So it is going to be fluid with him on how he responds to things.”

LeMahieu went to the IL in a horrendous slump — 2-for-38 — as the big toe became more and more of an issue. He received a cortisone shot for the problem at the All-Star break, which LeMahieu at the time thought would provide enough relief for him to get through the rest of the season. That did not turn out to be the case.

“I can deal with that; that's manageable. That is what it is,” he said of the injury impacting him in the field, whether it be at third, second or first. “When you can't hit, when I can't be myself, and I can’t hit, I’m not doing anyone any favors by just being a body out there.”

LeMahieu, hitting .262 with 12 homers and a .739 OPS in 120 games, said, “I anticipate coming back pretty close to full strength.”

Exactly when that will be, however, is the question.