David LeMahieu: Everything you need to know

The Yankees released LeMahieu on Thursday. LeMahieu was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday and is now officially a free agent after being released. New York is on the hook for the approximately $22 million remaining on his contract. LeMahieu should be able to find another opportunity elsewhere, but at 36 years old and with declining skills both on offense and defense, there's no guarantee he'll be able to get a job as a big-league regular.

The Yankees announced Wednesday that LeMahieu was designated for assignment, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports. After the Yankees elected to move Jazz Chisholm from third base to second base earlier this week, LeMahieu lost hold of his everyday role at the keystone. Though LeMahieu has prior experience at both corner-infield spots, manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that it's a challenge for the 36-year-old to hold up to the physical demands of the hot corner. Given LeMahieu's defensive limitations at this stage of his career, the Yankees didn't view him as a viable utility infielder, so the team will eat the approximately $22 million remaining on his contract once he passes through waivers. LeMahieu will have the ability to elect free agency after the waiver process concludes, but given his advancing age, lack of defensive flexibility and declining production at the plate -- he posted a .266/.338/.336 slash line with two home runs in 142 plate appearances for the Yankees in 2025 -- he may not have a long list of suitors on the open market.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that there are no plans to play LeMahieu at third base and he views the veteran infielder as a bench bat, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports. Jazz Chisholm is being moved from third base back to second base, but it will not be LeMahieu taking over at the hot corner, as Boone said it's a challenge for the veteran infielder physically to play third base. Oswald Peraza is starting at third base Tuesday versus the Mariners and looks like the favorite to see the bulk of the starts there for the time being.