New York Yankees Bench All-Star for Third Straight Game
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He's riding the pine.
For the third straight game, the New York Yankees have benched third baseman Josh Donaldson.
Donaldson declined to speak with reporters on Sunday before heading into manager Aaron Boone's office for an extensive conversation.
According to Boone, it was a long conversation and they're now on the same page, as it cut into the manager's pregame press conference time.
“He’s going to play a lot. I know there’s a lot in there. … I just want to get him going because I know he can be a key figure for us," Boone said, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Earlier in the week, general manager Brian Cashman said he wants Donaldson to get consistent at-bats, giving him a "runway" of regular playing time to get going at the plate.
"Last year, he had a subpar offensive season, but prior to that, he's always been an above-average offensive player," Cashman said on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
"Last year, he had a subpar offensive season, but prior to that, he's always been an above-average offensive player"
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 20, 2023
Brian Cashman says he'll be in a better position to judge Josh Donaldson once he gets more consistent at-bats: pic.twitter.com/kQZQMzae3f
Donaldson went on the injured list with a right hamstring strain in early-April. He suffered a setback on his rehab assignment, and did not rejoin the Yankees until June 1.
On the season, Donaldson has struggled mightily, slashing .125/.197/.406 with a .603 OPS, six home runs and eight RBIs.
The 37-year-old had a rough first season in pinstripes last year as well. In 132 games in 2022, he hit 15 home runs, drove in 62 RBI and had a career-worst .682 OPS.
Prior to the 2022 season, the Yankees acquired Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.
Donaldson has not produced since becoming a Yankee, and most likely will not return after his contract expires at the end of the season.