After losing nine of their last 14 contests, the Yankees are making some changes in hopes of stopping a catastrophic summer freefall.
With impactful injuries striking both Ryan Yarbrough and Clarke Schmidt, New York has had a chance to use a large majority of their pitching depth this season.
Although fans weren't excited for his return, Marcus Stroman has rejoined the beat-up rotation and provided two solid outings for the Bombers, posting a 3.60 ERA and fanning 5 batters across those matchups.
Extensive openings in the rotation also allow some young guns to shine, with the newest Baby Bomber being Cam Schlittler. The 6-foot-6 24-year-old boasts a high-90s fastball and an impressive ability to strike out batters, racking up 99 strikeouts through only 76.2 innings of work across two levels this season.
Schlittler is slated to make his MLB debut on Wednesday, where he hopes to lead the Yankees to their first series win in July.
Get out your Camera. #Yankees No. 10 prospect Cam Schlittler matched a career-best with nine strikeouts over six shutout innings.
— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) June 26, 2025
6.0 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 1 BB | 9 K#WhereLegendsRise #RepBX pic.twitter.com/Lxi2l8SyCo
Throughout the first half, the Bombers have run out countless different lineups, but there is undoubtedly an emphasis on finding a consistent leadoff hitter.
With Jasson Dominguez on fire for the past handful of weeks, New York may have found their new speedster to place at the top of their lineup. The 22-year-old lightning rod has played a huge role in the Bombers' lineup while they've been struggling, hitting to the tune of a .357 batting average while posting a .937 OPS over his past 15 contests.
Making Dominguez the everyday leadoff hitter has a rippling effect on this Yankees team. It not only makes the lineup deeper with impact bats such as Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells adding firepower to the bottom of the lineup, but also finally allows Dominguez to get the full-time development that he has been missing.
Following Dominguez in this newfound order has been Aaron Judge in the two-hole, where Cody Bellinger plugs in behind him, batting third. Hitting fourth has recently been Giancarlo Stanton, and fifth has been Jazz Chisholm Jr. This consistent top five in the lineup has led to the Yankees being a much more difficult team to pitch around, given the righty-lefty nature.
Have a day, Jasson Domínguez ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rV0TtyCQ2J
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 4, 2025
After recovering from injury, DJ LeMahieu was given some run in the lineup, but was ultimately not good for the Bombers this season. Amid his age-36 season, LeMahieu is no longer looked at as a starter, but now as a bench piece, per Aaron Boone.
Letting the veteran hit the bench allows Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return to second base, where the All-Star can showcase his stellar defense.
DJ taking a back seat means that it is officially evident to both the front office and the management that New York is still missing a key infielder on their team.
The band-aid of playing a withering DJ LeMahieu has officially rubbed off, leaving third base wide open for what seems like an inevitable trade deadline deal.
As for now, DJ is helping New York the most by not being on the field, as it seems like his high-impact days are over.
Aaron Boone says it's "physically a challenge" for DJ LeMahieu to play third base and expects him to be utilized primarily as a bat off the bench moving forward pic.twitter.com/OBcDf6OpHM
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 8, 2025
With the Yankees on the brink of a turnaround, they have already begun to make some mid-season adjustments to course-correct their recent slump.
With the All-Star break just days away and the trade deadline coming quickly, New York will look to revamp their team and aim to take back first place in the American League East.
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