Baltimore Game Update
Ryan McMahon was ejected during the eighth inning after he hurt his left hand while sliding into second base earlier in the game, specifically in the second inning, in what turned out to be a 5-3 victory over the Orioles.
The third baseman initially stayed in play but later underwent X-rays. According to manager Aaron Boone, the results didn’t show any injuries, although additional tests will take place on Thursday.
“It’s a bit painful,” McMahon mentioned, referring to his thumb, which got caught during his attempt to stretch a single into a double.
As the match went on, McMahon felt more swelling and communicated this to Boone. In the eighth inning, with the game tied and two outs, Boone decided to substitute Jose Caballero for McMahon with two players on base.
Caballero was eventually hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases, and George Lombard Jr. secured the win with a critical infield hit.
McMahon expressed a desire not to miss much time due to this injury.
With regards to the Yankees’ ongoing struggles at bat, Boone defended his hitting coach strongly, despite the team managing the second-worst OPS and fewest runs allowed in the majors since losing Aaron Judge to injury. “I think they are great,” Boone remarked. He seemed confident in the hitting coach’s efforts and the team’s preparation, even if results have not favored them lately.
Boone also noted that the prolonged slump of the lineup was unexpected. “It’s surprising,” he admitted. “We have players in good spots, yet they all seem to be underperforming.” He conveyed optimism that things might eventually improve.
There’s speculation that the return of Cody Bellinger, who is set to play in a minor league rehab game soon, could provide a boost. However, uncertainty still looms over Judge’s return.
Boone believed the team’s struggles with performance are not reflective of the leadership. Meanwhile, updates on pitcher Max Fried indicate he is dealing with elbow inflammation, although he had a positive day on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Yankees recently traded catcher Christian Bethancourt to the Pirates for cash. After being let go by the Cubs, Bethancourt signed a minor league contract with the Yankees and has already featured in eight games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
At 34, Bethancourt was among several veteran catchers at SWB, including Mitch Garber and JC Escala, with Garver signed after being released by Seattle. Bethancourt last played in the majors back in 2024 with the Cubs.
