NEW YORK — Both Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone called the move to designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment on Wednesday a “tough” decision. LeMahieu had been in pinstripes since 2019, a well-respected and hard-working figure in the Yankees’ clubhouse.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is aiming to be busy ahead of the MLB trade deadline but tried to temper expectations in terms of what might happen.

The New York Yankees find themselves out of first place in the American League East, primarily due to a four-game sweep at the hands of the now first-place Toronto Blue Jays last week. They remain postseason contenders as the All-Star break and trade deadline approach,