For years, DJ LeMahieu was everything the New York Yankees needed—steady, versatile, and a good performer, always getting the job done. But after a quiet and emotional few days in the Bronx, the team has officially now designated him for assignment, and with that, his pinstriped chapter comes to an unexpected close.

Now, this move did not come out of thin air. LeMahieu’s body didn’t hold up. After signing a six-year $90 million contract, he dealt with plenty of lower leg issues. None more impactful than the toe injury that derailed his season.

Though he made his return this spring, DJ never quite looked like the old version of himself. He went back to second base for the Yankees, but struggled a lot. And while he had been showing signs of life since May, it seemed like the Yankees’ front office was done with him. The plan was for LeMahieu to hold third base, but Aaron Boone admitted that even that position has become too demanding for LeMahieu to hold down.

Talking to the press, the Yankee skipper said, “I think it’s just, you know, for him it’s a demanding spot. He really felt that last year. So I think it was going to be a challenge for him. That said, I think he was willing to start working over there and become a real option for us. But again, as the last few days unfolded, looking at our roster, looking at what the next few weeks could unveil, Cash and I decided today was probably the day to go ahead and do it.”

And as far as how the conversation with DJ went regarding this, Boone mentioned it was going to be a challenge; the conversations were difficult, but they—focus word—“mutually” got through it.

As for Cashman, he too echoed Boone’s sentiment. “It’s not something I could leave,” he mentioned that the New York Yankees roster now looks good. “So as we walk through it, walk through it, we ultimately made a tough decision, and that led to a roster change today.” There was no dramatic locker room showdown, and no demand for any release. Just some honest and tough talks that needed to happen behind closed doors that signaled the end.

Was it difficult? Sure, every team has emotions involved. But with the rings and a title in question, letting go of a roster of potential for one player didn’t seem feasible for a team. It’s not the ending many hoped for, but in baseball or any sport, even the good guys sometimes don’t get the send-off they want. Remember that viral clip of Daniel Ricciardo walking alone after his final F1 race? Sometimes that’s just how it goes.

And it seems like the Yankees’ plan has kind of worked!

New York Yankees snap back—and Cashman might’ve been right all along

Maybe Brian Cashman was onto something after all. Because after weeks of criticism over the New York Yankees’ lineup decision, Tuesday night at the Bronx looked every bit like how the team was supposed to look. The Yankees rolled into a 10-3 win over the Mariners, and this time, everything clicked from the offense to the defense and even the starting pitching.

Offensively, Giancarlo Stanton reminded everyone of his power with a three-run blast, his second homer of the year. Aaron Judge also kept his pace in the home run race and blasted his 34th homer, but Cal Raleigh responded with his 36th.

Now, Austin Wells is also heating up with three home runs in three games, and he drew a rare walk.

But maybe the biggest story is that the infield defense looked stable, finally. With Chisolm Jr. back at his natural second base and Oswald Peraza stepping up at third, the Yankees looked way sharper. It is wild to think that it took this long to put the players in their positions. Fans were, after all, screaming on top of their lungs at Boone to be fiery and take action. But better late than never, right? Boone had raved about Peraza’s defense, and truly, his bat has started to come around.

Even if it’s just one game or two, after a rough stretch where the Yankees lost 16 of 23, a win is a win. Plus, Cashman gets to say, “Told you so,” today. Doesn’t he?