Questions loom over DJ LeMahieu’s Yankees role amid struggles, Jazz Chisholm trade

BOSTON — As Aaron Boone looked over his position players, he saw plenty of reason for optimism.

Of course, there is Aaron Judge and Juan Soto .

He praised the recent at-bat quality of Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo.

He has liked what he has seen of late from Austin Wells, Trent Grisham and Ben Rice.

Missing from the Yankees manager’s list was DJ LeMahieu.

LeMahieu has been missing from recent lineups, too, and his time on the field (and perhaps with the Yankees) could be further curtailed with the weekend addition of Miami’s Jazz Chisholm , whose athleticism could make him the everyday third baseman.

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The sinking and aging corner infielder was on the bench for a second straight night as the Yankees faced off with the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday.

Oswaldo Cabrera, who has swung better of late, started at third and Rice at first.

LeMahieu is physically fine, Boone said.

His bat has been another story.

The two-time batting champion’s batting average had fallen all the way to .178.

Among hitters with at least 150 plate appearances, LeMahieu’s average was the seventh worst and his OPS (.495) the fifth worst.

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After sitting for six innings Friday, LeMahieu subbed in for defensive purposes at first base in a game the Yankees were leading by three.

The lead was gone by the ninth inning, when LeMahieu got an at-bat.

He swung through a cutter from Kenley Jansen for another strikeout.

If there was any hope remaining of a revival from the 36-year-old, it is dwindling.

He has dealt with foot/toe injuries over the past three years, including a non-displaced fracture that kept him off a major league field this season until late May.

He has returned before his bat.

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His home run Monday was his only one in his first 44 games, his power sapped and his bat unable to make much solid contact.

A sad situation could lead to another Yankees decision on an aging player who is due significant money.

Last year, when it became clear that Aaron Hicks’ play was not turning around, the Yankees designated the then-33-year-old for assignment with nearly three years and $30 million left on his contract.

LeMahieu is making $15 million this season and due another $15 million each of the next two years.

Would the Yankees sooner cut ties with LeMahieu, make him a well-paid backup or hope the results change at some point?

There are so many questions facing the Yankees ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Among them is what to do with LeMahieu, who will have trouble proving he can still perform if he stops seeing the field.

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