The New York Yankees’ under-the-radar option to replace DJ LeMahieu

The coronavirus pandemic will, most likely, prevent the New York Yankees from having arguably their best pure hitter, DJ LeMahieu, in the lineup on Opening Day against the Washington Nationals. The second baseman has had the virus for a few days and likely won’t make it back in time, although he is progressing well.

The Yankees are left finding a capable replacement for the first few days of the season. Tyler Wade is the most natural candidate, and Thairo Estrada can defend the position as well. Both are works in progress with the bat but are coming along.

However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is also mulling a dark horse candidate to take some reps at the keystone, and it is the team’s starting third baseman. Yes, you read that right: Gio Urshela could be an under-the-radar option to replace LeMahieu.

Urshela, who broke out last season as a third-sacker with a .314/.355/.534 line, spent some time taking ground balls at second base prior to Tuesday’s intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium, per NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty.

“Obviously, we slid him over there at the end, and he did a little work there (Tuesday),” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just trying to make sure that we’re covered in a lot of spots, obviously with the uncertainty that who knows where this season goes and what you’ve got to deal with.”

Would the Yankees go through with that plan?

At this point, it is unlikely that the New York Yankees actually deploy Urshela as the starting second baseman for whatever long LeMahieu stays out. The infielder played five games and 23.2 innings at the position back in 2017 with the Cleveland Indians, and didn’t rate particularly well. Besides, the plan would involve Miguel Andujar playing third base, and the club has made it clear that they don’t want that to happen regularly.

At this point, Wade, Estrada and Matt Duffy could all feature at second. But, you know, it is good to have options

Kuty speculates that the Urshela at 2B – Andujar at 3B alignment could work if the Yankees are facing a lefty.

“The more versatility you can create in case you get into a situation I feel like is important,” Boone said. “We obviously feel like Gio can handle that. But going on that side of the field, we just wanted to make sure he got a little work in there.”