On July 8, 2025, before the New York Yankees’ game against the Seattle Mariners, manager Aaron Boone announced that DJ LeMahieu would be removed from the starting lineup. Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned to second base, the position he began the season playing. Boone stated that Chisholm would now play regularly at second base. Oswald Peraza started at third base that night in a corresponding move.
Boone confirmed that LeMahieu’s current role would be as “a bat off the bench” and that there were “no plans” to use him at third base “right now.” He said the decision was related to LeMahieu’s physical condition: “I think physically, it’s a challenge for him right now.” Boone also said that LeMahieu “took the news of being moved to the bench not great necessarily.”
LeMahieu, 36 years old, has played 45 games in 2025. Batting .266 with a .674 OPS, he has two home runs and 13 RBIs in 142 plate appearances. His 2025 defensive metrics include –1 Outs Above Average at second base. Boone said LeMahieu is “not presently a candidate for time at third” due to physical limitations.
- On July 8, 2025, the Yankees benched DJ LeMahieu due to physical limitations and performance issues, assigning him a bench role.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moved back to second base, his preferred position, after committing six errors at third and dealing with a sore shoulder.
- Oswald Peraza started at third base, while the Yankees explored trade options and signed infield depth ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Learns of Position Switch from Lineup Sheet
Chisholm began the 2025 season playing second base, though he was moved to third after returning from an oblique injury on June 3. He started 28 consecutive games at third. Chisholm previously said on July 1, 2025, “Everybody knows I’m a second baseman. Of course, I want to play second base, but whatever it takes to help the team win. If that’s what the team chooses, that’s what I gotta do. I don’t write the lineups. You feel me?”
On July 8, Chisholm stated, “I woke this morning and saw the lineup.” He said he had “not really” talked to Boone about the change, and added, “We didn’t talk before this, so I guess we’ll talk about it later.” Boone said, “I spoke to him and gave him a heads up.”
Asked what he brings to second base, Chisholm responded, “Elite defender. Elite slugging. Fast. Great defense. I don’t know what else to tell you. Sounds like a complete player to me.”
Chisholm had a –3 Outs Above Average at third base before the July 8 game. He committed six throwing errors while playing third base, including three errors in his last four games. He had three Outs Above Average at second base before his move.
Boone said the decision to move Chisholm was also influenced by a shoulder issue Chisholm has had for approximately three weeks. Boone said, “Obviously the last week was a little bit of a struggle for him over at third.” He added that part of that struggle was due to being “a little banged up and not being able to do some of his prep work.”
Chisholm said the shoulder soreness started after he backhanded a ball and threw it to first base “as hard as I could.” Boone was asked if the shoulder injury was related to playing third base and said, “No, no. He hurt it separately.” When asked for further explanation, Boone said, “I’m not gonna get into it.”
Yankees’ 10–3 Win Coincides with Betting Market Adjustments
On July 8, the Yankees defeated the Mariners 10–3. Prior to the game, online sportsbooks had the Yankees favored at –165 on the moneyline. The total was set at 9.5 runs.
Earlier in the month, on July 1, the Yankees faced the Toronto Blue Jays. Betting lines from that game had the Yankees as –149 favorites and the Blue Jays at +125. The total was 8.0 runs, with implied win probabilities of 57.4% for the Yankees and 42.6% for the Blue Jays.
Before being benched, LeMahieu’s player props included the following: 0.76 hits per game (–140), 0.04 home runs per game (+1200), 0.96 total bases per game (–150), and 0.27 RBIs per game. After LeMahieu was designated for assignment on July 9 and released on July 10, those prop markets were removed or suspended.
Oswald Peraza Starts at Third as Yankees Explore Internal Options
Oswald Peraza was the starting third baseman on July 8. Boone said, “It’s been a struggle offensively.” Peraza entered that game with a .154 batting average, .225 on-base percentage, and .262 slugging percentage in 57 appearances. Boone also said Peraza’s defense was “phenomenal” and called him “a really talented defender.” He added, “I still think there’s that upside and talent in there offensively too.”
Oswaldo Cabrera is out for the season with an ankle injury. Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra, both backup catchers, have taken ground balls at third base in practice. Escarra has played two innings at third base in the major leagues.
The Yankees signed Jeimer Candelario and Nicky Lopez to minor league contracts the week before July 8. Jorbit Vivas and Andrew Velazquez are in Triple-A at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Jesus Rodriguez is on the 40-man roster.
Boone did not confirm whether Peraza would continue to start at third base moving forward.
Yankees Consider Trade Targets with Deadline Approaching
The New York Post reported that the Yankees are considering third base upgrades via trade. The team has reportedly inquired about Ryan McMahon (Rockies), Eugenio Suárez (Diamondbacks), Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates), and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays). The MLB trade deadline is July 31, 2025.
