June 13, 2023; New York City, New York, United States; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) and right fielder Aaron Judge (99) look on during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Credit required: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
After an “important” meeting with the Yankees 3B Josh Donaldson delayed Aaron BooneAt the pre-game press conference at Yankee Stadium, the New York manager spoke about the role of the struggling veteran in the team.
“He and I had a lot of conversations — yesterday, today,” Boone said ahead of Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. rubber game against the Texas Rangers for attendance DJ LeMahieu as a starting 3B. “We’re of the same mind and I won’t get into that too much but it was just him and I talking and I’m sorry it spilled over but you have important conversations with guys all the time and that was one.” who disrupted the meeting.
Donaldson, 37, was a non-starter for the Yankees for the third straight game.
“These guys are all going to play a lot,” Boone said. “That was something where we go into a day off. And with JD, the only thing I was struggling with was getting him back there with the day off today, or just going into the day full of energy and letting it sink in.” Tuesday. So it was just a tough decision that I wrestled with all day yesterday but I want to get DJ and JD working and Big G (Gian Carlo Stanton), for that matter, they’re going to play like we expect them to – and I expect they’ll all play a lot.”
Donaldson who He reportedly declined to speak to the media ahead of the game but will do so later, came in on Sunday with a .125/.197/.406 batting six home runs and eight RBI in 21 games this season.
“Since he’s playing a lot — he’s going to play a lot,” Boone said when asked what he thought Donaldson’s role would be.
“He’s a gamer,” Boone later added when asked if Donaldson was “unhappy with these days off.”
“He always wants to play when he is physically good. He wants to be there. He wants to compete. But I also felt like this weekend was the right thing to be here as we prepare for a day off and for the trip — just my call that I felt like this was the best move.”