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PHILADELPHIA The Yankees brought Amed Rosario back to be a lefty killer, and through the first two months of the season, he was.
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Try it freeIn the past two months, though, its the lefties that have done the killing against the Yankees utility player.
Still in part because the Yankees are beat up and are now without three of their better hitters against lefties in Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton Rosario hit third again Sunday night against Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez in an 11-4 loss in the series finale at Citizens Bank Park.
If you watch the at-bats, especially against lefties, I know the numbers havent been there, but hes having the right at-bats, hes just going through it a little bit, manager Aaron Boone said.
In 50 plate appearances against lefties through May 26, Rosario was hitting .273 with an .888 OPS.
But in 56 plate appearances against lefties since then, entering Sunday, he was batting just .135 with a .408 OPS.
That included being in a 1-for-17 slump entering Sundays game.
Rosario was 1-for-4 in the loss with a pair of strikeouts before being lifted for pinch hitter Ryan McMahon in the ninth.
Rosario has continued to be a staple in the top third of Yankees lineups against most lefties despite the lack of results, though they are not overflowing with options to replace him.
The 30-year-old did still have an average exit velocity of 90.3 mph and an 11.1 percent barrel rate, both of which ranked in the top half of the league and gave the Yankees some hope that he was capable of getting back on track.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Hes on stuff and is presenting like a guy thats going to impact against lefties, Boone said.
Hes just, on a smaller level, hasnt gotten results.
But doesnt change my confidence that he will moving forward.
Judge and Stanton are expected to travel to Chicago with the Yankees this week for their series against the White Sox and Cubs.
- WinCraft insulated can coolers - Team Effort driver head cover - 47 Brand adjustable cap - Customizable jersey - Logo fleece blanket - 14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug Well have some of our trainer guys that go on the road, well be able to do that, Boone said.
Cross Shea Langeliers off the list of potential catchers the Yankees could acquire at the trade deadline.
The Athletics placed the backstop on the injured list Sunday with a torn meniscus, which could cost him the rest of the season.
Langeliers, under contract through 2028, was going to be tough to land, but now his injury has essentially ruled out any trade involving him.
Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) faced hitters for the second time Sunday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, continuing his ramp-up toward a rehab assignment.
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Max Fried will start Mondays series opener against the White Sox, giving Gerrit Cole an extra day of rest before starting Tuesday after both had thrown in Wednesdays doubleheader.