#Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu was stunned by ‘frustrating’ coronavirus

If the Yankees’ most complete player isn’t ready for Opening Day on Thursday in Washington, he believes it won’t take long to join the band.

“It’s a possibility, I don’t know if it is realistic or not,’’ DJ LeMahieu said Saturday about being ready for the first game after joining the Yankees’ spring training 2.0 following a bout with the coronavirus. “It’s up to the trainers and [manager Aaron Boone]. I think it will be pretty close. If not Opening Day, the first few games. For me it is going to be live at-bats.’’

After spending a lot of the shutdown working out in Tampa, LeMahieu went home to Michigan, where he tested positive for COVID-19.

“It was a test on my own. I had been in contact with someone who was positive, so I got a test,’’ LeMahieu said. “I wanted to see my dad, but I didn’t want to see him until I got tested. I got a call five days later, and obviously I was shocked. It was unreal.’’

LeMahieu, who was able to visit his father on the porch and shared that his wife tested negative, described the testing process as weird and frustrating.

“It was a test almost every other day. It was weird. I tested negative, positive, negative, negative,’’ LeMahieu said. “It was frustrating because I was feeling 100 percent normal. Pretty much every other day for two weeks.’’

Asked if he knew where he contracted the virus, LeMahieu said, “I have no idea. I don’t know.’’

He did, however, feel scared.

“It was shocking news to get that, definitely a scary thing. There is no cure for it, so it is scary,’’ LeMahieu said via a Zoom call from Yankee Stadium. “After the first few days I felt fine.’’

With the Yankees facing the Mets at Citi Field on Saturday night, LeMahieu was at Yankee Stadium easing into the routine of getting ready for a 60-game season by taking batting practice and running the bases.

Asked about participating in live batting practice, LeMahieu said, “Live pitching, I don’t know, we will see. [Boone] has been great making sure I am ready. Hopefully, another good day [Saturday] and see about [Sunday].’’

Though LeMahieu said he won’t wear a protective mask during the games, he understands others will and is more than fine with their decisions.

“Probably not going to wear a mask. For me the game is really hard, to wear a mask, I don’t know,’’ LeMahieu said. “For the guys who are wearing it, I definitely respect. We have guys going back to their families. I have no problem. I have no problem with guys opting out, either. I know how scary this thing is.’’

The Yankees’ lineup is deep enough to cover for a player who is missing. That was the case last year when the Yankees won the AL East despite Giancarlo Stanton playing in just 18 games and Aaron Hicks in 59.

However, LeMahieu’s first season in The Bronx was terrific in every way. He batted .327 with career highs in homers (26) and RBIs (102) and posted a .893 OPS. He was an All-Star for a third time and finished fourth in the AL MVP race.

A duplication of that by the 32-year-old second baseman, who also can play first and third, will set him up for a comfortable contract as a free agent after the World Series. LeMahieu was the bargain of the free-agent class following the 2018 season, signing a two-year deal for $24 million and leaving the Rockies.

In the past six years LeMahieu has averaged 146 games played. Now, he is preparing for a 60-game season.

“It’s going to be weird. It is definitely a sprint this year,’’ LeMahieu said.

A sprint he is excited to a part of.