Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu late scratch due to stomach virus

Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu late scratch due to stomach virus

DJ LeMahieu was a late scratch because of a stomach virus. The infielder took a rapid COVID-19 test that came back negative, the Yankees said before their 6-4 victory over the Phillies on Tuesday night at the Stadium. Manager Aaron Boone said he hopes LeMahieu can return Wednesday.

With Chris Gittens only available in an emergency because of a sore Achilles, Rob Brantly started at first base. He delivered a sixth-inning double (his first hit since 2017 with the White Sox) that knocked Phillies ace Aaron Nola out of the game.

Brantly, the veteran catcher called up Friday to replace Kyle Higashioka (COVID-19), had played five professional games at first base before Tuesday, all of them in the minors. Boone said he also considered using Gary Sanchez or Rougned Odor at first.

DJ LeMahieuDJ LeMahieuBill Kostroun

Journeyman right-hander Asher Wojciechowski, will start Wednesday for the Yankees.

Michael King (right middle finger contusion) and Nestor Cortes Jr. (COVID-19) are both out, so the Yankees needed a fifth starter at some point this week. They decided to use Wojciechowski on Wednesday to have Jordan Montgomery in line Thursday to start the first of the four-game series in Boston.

Wojciechowski, who is still building back up from a lat injury this spring, had a 5.68 ERA in four starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“Just the best chance to get outs,” Boone said.

Deivi Garcia, who unlike Wojciechowski is already on the 40-man roster, started Tuesday at Triple-A, allowing three runs in six innings, but getting no decision in a 7-6 SWB victory.


Jonathan Loaisiga rejoined the Yankees after being cleared from his COVID-19 quarantine. The reliever is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday and could return to the roster this weekend in Boston.

Boone said Cortes is the next in line to come back from COVID-19, potentially rejoining the team in Boston.


Darren O’Day will have season-ending surgery on his left hamstring Wednesday. The sidearming reliever suffered the injury while sprinting before the July 6 game in Seattle. He tore the same hamstring in 2018, but it never fully healed after surgery.

“It just picked a bad time to go again,” O’Day said.

The 38-year-old has a player option for 2022, but said he is still undecided on his future.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought and still haven’t come up with the right answer,” he said. “I’m terrible at big decisions like that.”


Luke Voit (knee) received a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday and was feeling “significantly better” by Monday, Boone said, adding that the first baseman is “still a couple days away from baseball activities.”


Miguel Andujar (wrist) hit on Wednesday as he ramps up baseball activities. … Tim Locastro will have surgery Wednesday to repair his right ACL, which he tore making a catch Saturday night.