A tough season for DJ LeMahieu took a painful turn Friday.
The Yankees infielder was scratched from the lineup with a facial contusion after he was struck in the face with a ball during warm-ups.
The Yankees said LeMahieu was pulled for “precautionary” reasons in a move that was announced just 13 minutes before the scheduled first pitch.
LeMahieu was getting reps at first base during infield practice and caught one ball as another drilled him.
LeMahieu grabbed at his face and hustled into the dugout, where he went down.
Gleyber Torres ran off the field to sit with him and put his hand on his shoulder as a trainer tended to LeMahieu.
The trainer appeared to check on LeMahieu’s jaw for several moments before LeMahieu walked down the tunnel and into the clubhouse under his own power.
LeMahieu had been penciled in as batting ninth and playing first base for the series-opening game against the Rockies in The Bronx.
Ben Rice replaced him and received a rare start against a lefty in Kyle Freeland.
The 36-year-old LeMahieu typically has only been getting starts against southpaws during the worst season of his career.
The two-time batting champion entered play hitting just .189 with a .512 OPS that was the third-worst in all of baseball among hitters who had logged at least 200 plate appearances.
There have been few signs of a turnaround from an aging player who has dealt with several foot/toe injuries in the past few seasons.
LeMahieu was 2-for-19 in his past six games and had hit just two home runs in 62 games this season.
This season has hurt, and on Friday, it did literally.