New York Yankees Bench All-Star for Third Straight Game

The New York Yankees have benched this All-Star for the third straight game.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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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.

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.


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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the main publisher and reporter for the Mets and Yankees On SI sites. He has been covering the Mets since 2018 and Yankees since 2021. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has appeared on several major TV Networks including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is a recurring guest on ESPN New York 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM. Pat is also the Mets insider for Barstool Sports personality Frank "The Tank" Fleming’s podcast. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ragazzoreport.