Amid concerning play, Yankees avoid injury scare with another superstar

The New York Yankees have lost four of their last six games — a minuscule stretch of contests over a 162-game marathon season.

There have certainly been some red flags in the way the team has lost recently, as the Boston Red Sox tore up the basepaths on national television on "Sunday Night Baseball," stealing a franchise-record nine bases in one game.

They've also seen star closer Clay Holmes suffer a blown save and two losses in his last three outings while allowing two runs in each of the trio of contests as well.

While they've also seen pitchers Clarke Schmidt and Cody Poteet — as well as first baseman Anthony Rizzo — hit the injured list, the Yankees have avoided scares and received positive updates on arguably their three most important players in recent days.

Outfielder and AL MVP candidate Juan Soto missed New York's entire three-game home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers from June 7-9 due to a forearm injury but has returned to play the last nine consecutive contests.

Ace and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole had a successful season debut on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, earning a no-decision after allowing two runs while striking out five in four-plus innings. Cole missed the first three months of the season due to right elbow inflammation.

Now, just two days after 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge was beaned on the hand, the Bronx Bombers had their captain back in the lineup for the series finale and rubber game against the Orioles. Not that it mattered. The Orioles demolished the Yankees, 17-5.