PHILADELPHIA DJ LeMahieu may not be done yet. The got a rare start Wednesday and something of a vote of confidence from general manager Brian Cashman and then went out and hit a grand slam in the top of the second against Philadelphia lefty Christopher Sanchez. It was LeMahieus second homer of whats been a rough season in which hes become primarily a defensive replacement for Ben Rice at first, especially after the to play third base. DJ LeMahieu of the Yankees hits a grand slam against the Phillies on July 31, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con He has struggled, Cashman said in a conference call prior to the game. Hes fighting through it. Thats putting it mildly. Explore More LeMahieu entered the game, starting at first and batting eighth, with two hits and three walks in his previous 37 plate appearances. His slugging percentage sat at just .216 before his homer, which became official after a video review and gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead. The Yankees held a 4-3 edge entering the sixth inning. DJ LeMahieu of the Yankees celebrates his grand slam against the Phillies on July 31, 2024. AP LeMahieu dealt with Vada Pinson Jersey a non-displaced fracture in his foot earlier this season and hasnt hit well since, which isnt good considering hes under contract through the end of 2026 and owed more than $30 million. I think its in there, Cashman said of LeMahieus offense. Theres opportunity for him to grind through it. I know hes a pro. No one can predict the future when and where and how. I know hes searching for it. I think theres a role for him to play while were going through it. And despite slumping for much of last year, Cashman pointed to LeMahieus performance in the final month-plus, when he produced a bit more at the plate, with an .812 OPS over his last 44 games. Brian Cashman said LeMahieu is fighting through it this season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post I thought he did a lot of work to get himself back in a place that would allow him to be closer to what were used to seeing on the offensive profile and another injury hit, Cashman said of the most recent foot injury. I cant speak to where hes at and how close he can be. I know hes doing what he needs to do. I feel disappointed for him and the fact injuries have derailed what looked like a relaunch of getting him back on track after having a great spring. Aaron Boone said there will be opportunities to get LeMahieu in the lineup. Hopefully he continues to get opportunities and gets it going, Boone said. Ben Rice has done a really nice job against righties and bringing in Jazz complicates things from an infield standpoint, but there are opportunities there. Hopefully we can find a good combination. Kyle Gibson Jersey