What Happened To DJ Lemahieu?
DJ LeMahieu, a veteran infielder for the New York Yankees, was designated for assignment (DFA) by the team on July 9, 2025. This move effectively ends his tenure with the Yankees, with nearly $22 million left on his contract.
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The decision followed a period of declining performance, largely due to age and a series of leg and toe injuries that limited his effectiveness both at the plate and in the field.
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LeMahieu had recently been moved to a bench role after struggling with both offense and defense, and the Yankees needed to make room for other players on their roster.
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As of now, LeMahieu has not officially retired from baseball, but being DFA'd means he is no longer on the Yankees' 40-man roster and is in a holding pattern while the team decides his next step.
What Does DFA Mean In Baseball?
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Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a roster move in Major League Baseball that immediately removes a player from the team's 40-man roster.
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After being DFA'd, the team has up to seven days to either:
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Trade the player,
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Place the player on waivers (allowing other teams to claim him and take on his contract),
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Release the player, or
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Outright him to the minor leagues (if he clears waivers and the player accepts the assignment).
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Players with enough service time can refuse a minor league assignment and opt for free agency.
Who is DJ Lemahieu?
David John LeMahieu, born July 13, 1988, in Visalia, California, is an American professional baseball infielder. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009 (second round) out of LSU, he debuted in 2011. Traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2012, he won three Gold Gloves (2014, 2017, 2018), two All-Star selections (2015, 2017), and the 2016 NL batting title (.348). Signing with the Yankees in 2019, he won the 2020 AL batting title (.364), a Silver Slugger (2019, 2020), and a utility Gold Glove (2022). Known as “LeMachine” for his versatility and hitting, LeMahieu played second, third, and first base. His 2025 DFA by the Yankees, owing $22 million, marks a potential end to his time in New York. He attended Brother Rice High School in Michigan, hitting .459 in his career, and LSU, where he was part of the 2009 College World Series championship team.
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Did DJ LeMahieu Retire?
No, DJ LeMahieu has not retired. As of July 10, 2025, he was designated for assignment by the Yankees, but there is no indication he has announced retirement. While his DFA and recent performance struggles (combined with his age) may limit his opportunities, he could still sign with another team as a free agent or continue his career elsewhere. Posts on X and web reports focus on his DFA, not retirement.
DJ LeMahieu’s Position
DJ LeMahieu is a versatile infielder, primarily known as a second baseman but also capable of playing third base and first base. In 2025, he played exclusively at second base for the Yankees, though his defensive range was noted as limited. Earlier in his career, he was a standout second baseman, winning Gold Glove Awards in 2014, 2017, and 2018 with the Colorado Rockies, and a utility Gold Glove in 2022 with the Yankees. With the Yankees, he frequently shifted between second, third, and first base due to team needs and injuries. Manager Aaron Boone noted in 2025 that playing third base was physically challenging for LeMahieu at age 36, contributing to his reduced role.
