Ryan

McMahon

The walks were his first since April 19. McMahon was supposed to get a break against a left-hander today, but he entered after Jasson Domínguez was injured on the first play of the game and had one of his best games of the year. He’s 9-for-22 with a homer this month, raising his OPS from .518 to .662.

McMahon’s homer to right would have been an out or maybe a double in most parks, but it was the product of a very nice at-bat against Jacob deGrom. McMahon’s glove hasn’t been quite as strong as usual this year, and with his .637 OPS and Anthony Volpe being healthy, he’s under some pressure to pick it up. This was a nice start.

Volpe will head to Double-A Somerset to start the week because they are closer to New York, and will play three games in two days on Tuesday and Wednesday. That could mean Volpe returns to the Yankees on Thursday. If he pushes Jose Caballero off of shortstop, that could mean Caballero gets more at-bats in the outfield or third base, which might impact playing time for Ryan McMahon or Jasson Dominguez.

The 31-year-old slugger jumped all over a first-pitch cutter from Lance McCullers Jr. in the second inning, belting a 336-foot (99.8 mph EV) solo shot that increased the Yankees’ early lead to 4-0. That would be his only hit in the ballgame, finishing the night 1-for-4. On the season, McMahon is slashing a horrifying .151/.286/.264 with two homers, five RBI and a 20/10 K/BB ratio in 63 plate appearances.

McMahon’s first homer of the season came in a big spot in the eighth inning, and with the game tied at two. Stepping in to pinch-hit for Amed Rosario and with a runner on first, McMahon blasted an opposite-field homer to left to put the Yankees up 4-2, putting them in position to take the first game of the weekend series. McMahon has struggled out of the gate this season and entered the game batting .140. Hopefully, this kickstarts a much-needed turnaround for the veteran lefty.

Even with left-hander Sam Aldegheri on the mound, the Yankees will let Rice play first base over Paul Goldschmidt. This might be because Aaron Boone doesn’t expect Aldegheri, who’s pitched just 13 innings in three minor league starts, to pitch deep into this game. However, we know that Rice has hit lefties well of late, so this could be a good indication that the Yankees are open to getting Rice into the lineup when they have to face many lefties in a short period of time. Amed Rosario will get into the starting lineup at third base today with Ryan McMahon sitting, even though McMahon started against the last lefty they faced.

With left-hander Jeffrey Springs on the mound, the Yankees will give Jazz Chisholm the day off and let Rosario play second base and lead off. Rosario has been playing well to start the season and could push Ryan McMahon for playing time at third base if he keeps hitting well.

McMahon gets a shot at shortstop for the first time this season with speedster José Caballero drawing his first off day. The 31-year-old has been mired in an extended slump at the dish, hitting .087 (2-for-23) through 10 games.

McMahon has been awful to begin the season, going 2-for-23 with an OPS of just .363. He’ll get a break even with right-hander Aaron Civale on the bump for the A’s, and Amed Rosario will get the start at third while hitting seventh.

McMahon is off to a rough start to the season, going 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts and two walks. McMahon also had a poor season last year, but had spent the offseason working on tweaking his stance and swing mechanics. So far, it has not worked. The Yankees will keep him in the lineup regularly because he plays good defense, but you have to wonder if Jose Caballero plays more third base once Anthony Volpe returns. Amed Rosario will start at third base on Wednesday and hit seventh.