27-time World Series champions, New York Yankees, find themselves in the midst of an underwhelming season. After an early explosion, incessant injuries and inconsistent gameplay derailed the team’s 2023 season campaign. Further, the situation took an ugly turn when captain, Aaron Judge, went on the injury list due to an aggravated toe injury.
Meanwhile, inconsistent gameplay from veteran and reliable infielders like DJ LeMahieu and Josh Donaldson has further doomed the Yankees. Their constant failures have put the third situation in a fix. As the ongoing season reaches its halfway stage, the Yankees have pulled up their socks and made a bold move by shaking up the infield during the recent series vs. Baltimore Orioles.
LeMahieu, Donaldson Snubbed As IKF Starts At Third Base Vs. Orioles
In Tuesday’s matchup against the competitive east rivals Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees made a massive change in the starting lineup. The newly transformed utility player, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, returned at third base after playing most of the season in the outfield. The regular third baseman, Josh Donaldson, was benched despite being 100% healthy. Not only that, the Bombers even snatched away DJ LeMahieu’s starters’ role. He came off the bench in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter for Jake Bauers. But failed to contribute. Manager Aaron Boone issued an explanation behind the bold move and said that it was in the right interest of the team.
Aaron Boone said the team has decided to keep DJ LeMahieu down the order until he gets his groove back on the plate. On top of that, the skipper looked highly impressed with Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s versatility and hinted at him playing regularly at third base for the foreseeable future. IKF has had a hit season ever since he turned into a utility player. This season, he is hitting .262 with five home runs and 23 RBIs. However, IKF’s resurgence is becoming a problem for the veterans whose future with the club is hanging by a thread. LeMahieu and Donaldson have failed to step up when the team needed the most. Hence, the Yankees’ front office might have second thoughts as they advance further in the season.
Yankees Struggling Veterans Were Greeted With Loud Boos From Home Fans
During the first game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, the New York Yankees fans were in their full character. They launched loud boos to literally everyone who was possibly having a rough day on the field. It all started when they booed ex-Yankee Aaron Hicks over an alleged video tribute. It was all fine until the fans turned on their own players.
Josh Donaldson and DJ LeMahieu, both went hitless across three at-bats during the whole game. Naturally, their disappointing show left the fans infuriated. They launched boos to both the infielders while they were leaving the field after getting out. Donaldson and LeMahieu have been facing the fan’s wrath for quite some time now. Their poor run on the plate has contributed heavily to the fans’ resentment. As the season advances further, the boos are likely to intensify as the Yankees’ performance as a team is unlikely to improve significantly anytime soon.
