Yankees' Battle for Hot Corner Heats Up Amid LeMahieu's Injury

With DJ LeMahieu once again facing a spring training injury, the competition for the Yankees' Opening Day third baseman has intensified. LeMahieu, who tweaked his left calf on Saturday, is now uncertain for the start of the season. This setback leaves manager Aaron Boone with a few intriguing options to fill the void. Oswaldo Cabrera, the versatile super-utility man, played 74 games at third base last year and has experience in nearly every position except catcher and center field. Then there's Oswald Peraza, a versatile infielder who appeared in four games for the Yankees last season after spending most of 2024 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Additionally, Pablo Reyes brings his own infield experience, having played at all four positions for the Red Sox and Mets last year.
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Manager Aaron Boone has made it clear that all three players are in contention for the hot corner. The phrase "next man up" aptly describes the situation, as the Yankees look for a reliable replacement for LeMahieu. Among the contenders, Cabrera stands out with the most time at third base and is likely the leading candidate. However, Jorbit Vivas, who has been nursing a sore shoulder, should not be forgotten in this competitive mix. As spring training progresses, the battle for the starting third baseman spot will be one to watch closely.