PHOENIX — DJ LeMahieu ran on the field and did some agility work before the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday at Chase Field and didn’t appear to be favoring his right knee, though he wasn’t running at full speed.
Before the exercise, the infielder said his knee was improving, but he was vague when asked if he could have played in the final of a two-game series.
“It’s pretty sore, but I think I am really close,’’ said LeMahieu, who fouled a ball off his knee Friday night in San Francisco. He remained in that game, played all nine innings Saturday but exited Sunday’s game.
LeMahieu said he is being treated with antibiotics and hopes to play Friday when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Twins at Yankee Stadium.
“Hitting is fine. I think I am pretty close and ready to go,’’ LeMahieu said.
Third baseman Gio Urshela returned to the starting lineup Wednesday and doubled in four at-bats in the loss. He left Sunday’s game after getting hit by a pitch on the left hand. He pinch-hit in Tuesday night’s loss to the Diamondbacks and hit sixth Wednesday.
Filling in for Miguel Andujar, Urshela has impressed with his bat, owning a .339 average after Wednesday’s 1-for-4. But his real strength is smooth-as-silk defensive skills.
“Sometimes you see a great defender and he laughs at a ground ball, like he is getting into a warm bath,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “He picks it up real nice and has a really good arm and accurate. He has a great clock over there. It comes pretty easy for him.’’
With third baseman Andujar moving closer to coming off the IL and Urshela having limited experience at positions other than third base, Urshela could be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone said that until he has the full squad back from the IL there might be room for Andujar and Urshela.
As for Urshela playing short or second, Boone said, “I think he would handle himself all right in the middle of the diamond somewhere.”
Urshela has played 13 games (nine starts) at short and five (three starts) at second in the big leagues.
Aaron Hicks participated in an extended spring game Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with two walks.
Clint Frazier took fly balls before Wednesday’s game. Frazier (left ankle problem) is eligible to come off the IL on Friday.
