Through the first month of the season, the Yankees stand in last place in the AL East with a 17-15 record, 8.5 games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
It’s not what you want from a World Series contender.
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That poor start has docked the Yankees a few spots in ESPN’s latest power rankings. After starting the season as the fifth-best team in Major League Baseball in the WorldWide Leader’s estimation, New York has fallen seven spots to No. 12 in the league.
Here’s the explanation from ESPN’s Joon Lee:
The injuries keep piling on in New York, with outfielder Aaron Judge sidelined by a hip strain, the return of reliever Jonathan Loaisiga delayed by a surgery to remove bone spurs, reliever Lou Trivino undergoing Tommy John surgery and starter Carlos Rodon still unable to pitch because of back issues. Yankees fans are starting to hit the panic button as the team sits in last place, but there are signs of hope. Harrison Bader has returned to the outfield from the IL, and rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe is emerging from his early growing pains, collecting seven hits in 24 at-bats over the past week.
The Yankees prevented an even steeper fall with a dramatic extra-innings 4-3 win over the Guardians on Wednesday night. They can make up ground in the AL East race this weekend, when they head to Tampa for a three-game series against the Rays that starts on Friday night at Tropicana Field.
“Clearly, you always want to thrive at all times, but it’s not the nature of the beast,” general manager Brian Cashman said prior to Wednesday’s contest. “I know one thing. Our manager and our coaching staff, they’ve been through this stuff before. They’re staying positive. No one’s putting their heads down. They’re approaching today the same way they approach every day, even though maybe the roster looks a little different. So be it. Gives a chance for people to try to make a name for…
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