Yankees' Struggles Deepen Amid Injuries and Bullpen Woes

The New York Yankees have slumped to a 16-24 record since mid-June, ranking among MLB's worst teams in that period and struggling without injured captain Aaron Judge. Judge's absence has left the lineup less potent, while Giancarlo Stanton remains mostly a designated hitter due to past injuries, with manager Aaron Boone cautious about using him in the outfield. The Yankees' bullpen has posted a league-worst 7.11 ERA since late June, and offensive struggles have persisted despite the acquisition of infielder Ryan McMahon. New York recently lost 9-4 to the Phillies, dropping to 3-5 since the All-Star break and 14-23 since June 13. However, a recent 4-3 win over Philadelphia ended both a three-game losing streak and a run of five consecutive games with errors, highlighted by strong relief pitching and McMahon's clutch contributions. Mounting injuries, bullpen woes, and inconsistent offense have heightened scrutiny as the Yankees' postseason hopes fade.