New York Yankees executive Hal Steinbrenner said he was confused by fans’ frustrations about the team’s performance early in the 2023 season. After 74 games, many of which have been without reigning MVP slugger Aaron Judge, the Bronx Bombers hold a 41-33 record and are third in the AL East.
“They are upset,” Steinbrenner told Michael Kay on a recent radio broadcast. “I’m a little confused, this year, being the third week of June, why they’re so upset, but they’re upset and that’s gonna get my attention, of course.”
Steinbrenner, the son of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, went on to say that fans should expect improvement after a particularly rough period in early June. Since May 31, the team has gone 6-10 and lost six games by one run. This skid coincides (and likely corresponds) with Judge’s absence, as the outfielder has been off the field with a toe injury since June 3.
The executive said that Judge’s injury was not the only one keeping the team back, as starting pitcher Carlos Rodon is also working his way back from a number of injuries and setbacks which forced him to the injured list to begin 2023. In his first rehab start in Somerset, Rodon threw three innings and struck out five batters. The former Giants star signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees in the offseason.
“Health is gonna be a part of it,” Steinbrenner said. “We gotta get Aaron back. Rodon had a rehab outing and felt great afterwards, 42 pitches, I believe. We gotta get them back in the mix.”
In the glory days of May, the Yankees won 19 games and were climbing back into contention for the top spot in the division behind the Rays, who had begun to cool off after a white-hot start to the year. With July quickly approaching on the horizon, however, the Rays maintain a five-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, while New York is barely in the picture 9.5 games back.
