On an otherwise dead day at the plate, one positive sign encourages the Yankees

Thankfully, DJ LeMahieu started hitting yesterday.

Not that it matters. It doesn't. Not a whit. Not a molecule. Not a moment. Not nothing. 

But it looks good in the box, right? 

In the 1st inning, LeMahieu stroked a single to RF on an 89-mph sinker. He was quickly cut down on a DP grounder by Juan Soto.

In the 3rd, he lashed an 84-mph changeup into the RF corner, a stand-up double, driving in what would be the only Yankee run of the game. 

In the 6th, he walked on four pitches. FWIW: Soto and Judge fanned, Rizzo popped out, and DJ's day was done.

Altogether, the Yankee Zone of Totality - Soto, Judge, Rizzo, Torres and Verdugo - went 1-14 with four Ks. A sad, throwback day, not that it matters.

As you know, I am making a concerted effort this spring to celebrate and applaud the new, Viagra-enhanced Yank batting order. Yesterday? Well, the magic didn't pop. The Yankees played their first team, they showcased it live on YES, they gushed about themselves - and then went dead in the tub, cold to the touch - like every meatless Yank lineup of the last five seasons. 

That said, DJ lifted his spring average by about 100 points, hitting to the opposite field and seemingly setting the table for the swinging dipsticks. He did his job. 

With Oswald Peraza looking like a lost cause - not hitting and a bad shoulder - LeMahieu apparently will go north with sole possession of 3B. The Yankee infield looks set, the lone remaining question being, who will be utility man? Don't be surprised if Cashman doesn't snag someone off the waiver wires. I get the feeling Oswaldo Cabrera is destined for Scranton.  

The Yankees are 5-8 on the spring, not that it matters.