The New York Yankees severed ties with veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu this week, designating him for assignment on 9 July and releasing him a day later. The move ends the 36-year-old’s seven-season tenure in the Bronx and comes less than five seasons into the six-year, $90 million deal he signed in January 2021. New York will be responsible for almost $22 million still owed under the contract—about $6.5 million for the remainder of this season and the full $15 million salary for 2026. Clearing LeMahieu’s spot, the club recalled 23-year-old infielder Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. LeMahieu had been shifted to a bench role a day before the transaction after conceding he could no longer handle third base defensively. He was batting .266 with a .674 OPS and two home runs in 45 games, continuing a three-year slide marked by hip, foot and calf injuries that sapped his range and power. Manager Aaron Boone said the decision followed “hard conversations” but was necessary as the Yankees move All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to his natural position at second base and piece together third with Vivas, Oswald Peraza and JC Escarra. New York entered play Wednesday at 50-41, second in the American League East and holding the top wild-card spot.