Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu could be headed to IL with toe ininjury

A more concrete decision on DJ LeMahieu’s status may come by Thursday at the latest.

The Yankees infielder missed a third straight game Tuesday due to inflammation in his right big toe. While LeMahieu said he has been feeling better in the last few days, it remains to be seen whether that improvement will allow him to avoid the injured list.

Manager Aaron Boone said that he was “hopeful for” LeMahieu to play Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series against the Rays. Boone later said a decision regarding whether or not to put LeMahieu on the 10-day IL could come in the next day or two. With LeMahieu unavailable, the Yankees have been playing with a shorthanded, three-man bench

We’ll probably make that decision sometime [Wednesday or Thursday] of saying, ‘Yeah, it’s beneficial to take the now seven days or so,’ or, ‘We’re ready to go,’ ” Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees hosted the Rays. “I really don’t have a lean either way on it, other than holding out some hope that he can be in there [Wednesday].”