The New York Yankees have been navigating a turbulent June, reminiscent of their struggles last year. In 2025, June was a month the Yankees would rather forget, as they stumbled to a 13-14 record that ultimately cost them the American League East.
Despite some bright spots, like series wins over the Royals, Guardians, and Orioles, the Yankees couldn't overcome crucial losses to division rivals. The Red Sox delivered two heavy blows, and the Blue Jays capped the month with a demoralizing victory that shifted the division's power balance.
At the start of June 2025, the Yankees held a comfortable 5.5-game lead in the East. But by the month's end, that lead had dwindled to just 1.5 games. By July 3rd, the Blue Jays had surged into first place, a position they never relinquished.
Fast forward to this year, and the Yankees are once again grappling with a June swoon. Fresh off a tough series against the Red Sox at Fenway, the Yankees find themselves at 12-11 for the month, with their grip on the AL East slipping. The roster looks different this time around, though.
In 2025, the Yankees were prepared for the absence of their ace, Gerrit Cole, but what made that year particularly frustrating was that their lineup was otherwise intact. The top of the order boasted stars like Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Giancarlo Stanton, and Ben Rice. Even Anthony Volpe was holding his own, posting a .235/.333/.397 line heading into a critical loss against the Jays.
Defense proved to be the Achilles' heel, with errors by Volpe and J.C. Escarra costing them dearly in that final June game against Toronto.
This year, injuries have been a significant factor in the Yankees' struggles. Max Fried has spent a considerable part of the season on the injured list, though his return is on the horizon.
The lineup, meanwhile, is a patchwork compared to its potential. Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice are leading the charge, with Cody Bellinger in the cleanup spot.
However, Amed Rosario is batting third, and the rest of the lineup features players like Jose Caballero, Max Schuemann, Volpe, and Austin Wells, who has struggled mightily at the plate.
The absence of Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham for much of the month has been felt keenly. Giancarlo Stanton's prolonged absence hasn't helped either, though Goldschmidt's All-Star-level performance has provided a much-needed boost.
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Grisham, after a slow start, has been a revelation since May 1st, hitting .290/.373/.473 with a 138 wRC+ and doubling his previous year's total of two-baggers with 10 doubles in that span.
While the Yankees' current form might seem like cause for concern, it's important to remember they're not yet at full strength. If they can weather this storm and possibly even surpass last June's record despite the injuries, there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the Bronx Bombers.
In Other News...
Jazz Chisholm Added Another Ugly Twist To Yankees Red Sox Spiral
The Yankees offensive frustrations against Boston reached another awkward checkpoint when Jazz Chisholm Jr. found himself in the middle of a disputed check-swing call at the plate. Batting leadoff in a revamped lineup, Chisholm was trying to spark a club that had struggled to create much of anything in the series while the Red Sox kept the pressure on from the mound.
The moment quickly grew tense, with Chisholm arguing the ruling from home plate umpire Adam Hamari before things boiled over and the play drew in the rest of the umpiring crew. It was the kind of scene that fit the night for New York, a team already trying to avoid a no-hit bid and now left to deal with another jolt of frustration in a game that was slipping further out of reach. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Boone Had Yankees Fans Bracing For More After Boston Mess
The Yankees left Boston with more than just a four-game sweep hanging over them. A trip that already had the look of a test became a reminder of how quickly a season can turn when the injuries stack up, the defense wobbles and the lineup keeps running into the same problems with runners in scoring position. Bostons sweep was its first over New York since 2018, and for a club trying to stay afloat in the AL East, it landed like a fresh wound.
Aaron Boones postgame tone only added to the noise around the club. After a loss that exposed so many of the Yankees current issues, fans were already bracing for what might come next from a manager whose message has come under sharper scrutiny during the slide. With the offense sputtering and the roster still missing key pieces, the bigger question now is whether the Yankees can steady themselves before the frustration around them gets even louder. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Deadline Pressure Is Building Around Brian Cashman Again
The Yankees have put themselves in the familiar spot of being good enough to buy and pressured enough to keep shopping. At 48-35 and sitting in second place in the American League East, they are in position to play deep into October, but the roster still has some obvious holes that could shape how Brian Cashman approaches the deadline. Bullpen help remains on the checklist, catcher is a lingering question, and shortstop is at least part of the conversation as the front office weighs how much to trust the current mix.
Cashman is expected to be busy, as he usually is this time of year, and the real suspense is less about whether the Yankees will add than how aggressively they will do it. The market will be shaped by health and depth, with the returns of several key players likely to affect how urgent the front office feels and how far it is willing to go. For a club trying to protect a playoff spot while also building a roster that can hold up in October, those decisions are already coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]