Josh Donaldson was meant to get a wanted respite from the boos Friday night time when he was out of the lineup towards the Rangers.
However by the top of the night time, the jeers got here anyway.
As Donaldson’s hitting struggles have mounted (his batting common had dropped to .127 with an 0-for-Three efficiency that included booting a floor ball at third base) he has turn into a singular goal of ire from the fan base. And boos once more crammed the Stadium after he struck out as a pinch-hitter within the 10th inning of a 4-2, 10-inning loss.
Enjoying Donaldson in any respect wasn’t in supervisor Aaron Boone’s plan. He even used Kyle Higashioka to pinch hit within the eighth inning. However Boone lastly gave in and introduced Donaldson off the bench for Billy McKinney within the 10th — which turned a 1-2-Three closing inning.
“He’s performed a bunch in a row,” Boone stated earlier than the sport. “Simply felt prefer it was a very good day to have him down.”
After Friday, Donaldson has simply three hits in his final 42 plate appearances relationship to June 8, prompting hypothesis over whether or not his $21 million wage may go the identical method as Aaron Hicks’ deal.
The Yankees ate the $27.6 million they owed Hicks after the outfielder suffered comparable derision from followers together with an prolonged hitting droop.
“You are feeling for anybody going by way of that,” Boone stated. “However that’s the case as a result of what guys put into it, you understand how a lot they care. That’s not essentially enjoyable to undergo. Everybody handles it a bit completely different.however it goes with enjoying right here generally”
The singling out by followers of an underperforming, well-paid Yankees participant has reached a selected excessive during the last 12 months, with first Joey Gallo after which Hicks leaving in ignominy. Donaldson’s struggles should not all that new — his .682 OPS final season was a career-low — however the state of affairs has gotten far worse in 2023.
“I don’t essentially find it irresistible, however it’s a part of the deal and also you gotta be capable to navigate these waters,” Boone stated. “It’s one of many challenges. It’s why it’s arduous to be a very good participant on this league, or one of many causes.”
Willie Calhoun advised The Submit’s Andrew Crane that he was scheduled to obtain a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday for his left quad pressure.
After Calhoun, who was injured Wednesday night time, had an MRI examination on Thursday, Boone stated the pressure was “between grade 1 and a pair of.” Calhoun stated he doesn’t have a precise timeline for his return, however is hoping to be again in 3-Four weeks.
Harrison Bader additionally got here off the bench to pinch hit, flying out to heart within the eighth inning earlier than spelling Isiah Kiner-Falefa in heart discipline for the remainder of the night time.
Nestor Cortes (left shoulder) is “most likely every week away from getting on a mound,” Boone stated, including the left-hander began a throwing program a number of days in the past.