Why Yankees' top-heavy lineup is becoming a bigger concern

As injuries mount, so do concerns about the New York Yankees' top-heavy lineup.

After recently putting first baseman Anthony Rizzo (fractured right forearm) on the 60-day injured list, the Yankees placed Giancarlo Stanton (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day IL on Sunday. Second baseman Gleyber Torres replaced Stanton, batting fifth against the Atlanta Braves, but he went 0-for-4 in a 3-1 loss.

"The problem is when you take out your five- and six-hole hitters, you end up replacing them with down-in-the-order guys," an American League scout told the New York Post's Jon Heyman. "So your new five- and six-hole hitters are Torres and [DJ] LeMahieu and they both [are struggling] now. Their lineup looks like the top four can get it done and that's it. And wait until [Aaron] Judge goes down."

Though Judge has battled multiple injuries throughout his career, including toe and oblique issues, he has remained healthy thus far and leads baseball in home runs (28 in 78 games). Regardless, the Yankees order clearly lacks depth, and losing Stanton — who has hit 18 homers in 69 games — could exacerbate the problem.

Aside from Judge, right fielder Juan Soto and shortstop Anthony Volpe, no Yankee has a batting average above .250 through 80 games. Two-time batting champion LeMahieu has had no extra-base hits since returning from a foot injury, via Heyman.

The Yankees can't call up highly touted prospect Jasson Dominguez, as he's expected to miss "eight weeks" with an oblique strain. New York acquired third baseman J.D. Davis in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, but he has posted a .670 OPS in 39 games — the second-lowest figure of his career — and was recently designated for assignment.

The Yankees (52-28) are first in the American League East, but the Baltimore Orioles (49-28) trail by 1.5 games. To maintain its lead, New York should consider acquiring another bat before the trade deadline on July 30, perhaps St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt or Mets star Pete Alonso.