Yanks' LeMahieu may have broken foot, Effross needs surgery

NEW YORK (AP) — Former batting champion DJ LeMahieu was left off the New York Yankees' American League Division Series roster against Cleveland on Tuesday and may have a broken foot.

“He wanted to give it a go and felt like he could give an at-bat off the bench and handle a routine play, which I don’t doubt,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I just don’t see it. He understood.”

New York reliever Scott Effross also will miss the best-of-five series after he received the surprising diagnosis Saturday of a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Effross will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline him until 2024.

“I thought just kind of end-of-the-year, normal soreness,” Effross said. “Obviously you know when you go in there there’s the possibility of finding something you don’t want to see. For me, I think it was kind of shocking.”

Matt Carpenter, rookie Oswaldo Cabrera and speedy outfielder Tim Locastro were included on New York's 26-man roster. Rookie infielder Oswald Peraza just missed and outfielder Andrew Benintendi has not yet recovered from wrist surgery.

Cleveland added right-handers Aaron Civale and Cody Morris, and dropped left-hander Kirk McCarty and right-hander Nick Sandlin, who strained his pitching shoulder Saturday.

LeMahieu, a three-time Gold Glove infielder, went into a 2-for-38 slide through Sept. 4 before going on the injured list. The infielder returned Sept. 30 and was 4 for 13 with two walks, no extra-base hits and no RBIs. LeMahieu finished the season with a .261 batting average, his lowest since 2011.

LeMahieu was among the Yankees who participated in a simulated game Monday evening. Boone said LeMahieu may have a fracture under the second toe of his right foot. LeMahieu, who had a cortisone injection during the All-Star break, will see specialists to determine whether he will need surgery.

LeMahieu will continue working out with the hope of being better for a later round.

“He’s just a shell of himself,” Boone said. “He’s just kind of akin to like with one arm tied behind his back.”

Effross, a 28-year-old right-hander, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the trade deadline. He was sidelined by a strained right shoulder between Aug. 20 and Sept. 24, then made five appearances and allowed two hits and no runs in 4 1/3 innings.

New York also is without relievers Chad Green, Michael King, Zack Britton and Ron Marinaccio due to injuries, along with starter Frankie Montas.

Carpenter figures to be used as a pinch-hitter in his first game action since breaking his left foot by fouling off a pitch on Aug. 8. He possibly could be a designated hitter when the series moves to Cleveland. Boone said he does not feel comfortable using Giancarlo Stanton in Yankee Stadium's expansive left field and planned to use Stanton as his DH in Games 1 and 2.

Cabrera made his debut on Aug. 17. The 23-year-old hit .247 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 171 plate appearances while playing all four infield positions, left field and right.

Twelve pitchers were included, with projected division series starters Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino joined by Jameson Taillon and Domingo Germán along with right-handers Miguel Castro, Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga, Clarke Schmidt and Lou Trivino along with left-handers Lucas Luetge and Wandy Peralta.

Holmes has not pitched in a game since Sept. 26 due to rotator cuff inflammation that was treated with a cortisone injection.

Montas and Benintendi are possible for later rounds if the Yankees advance. Montas last pitched Sept. 16 and is trying to work back from right shoulder inflammation that required a cortisone injection. Benintendi has not played since Sept. 2 due to a broken bone in his right wrist that needed surgery.

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