YANKEES UPDATE: MAY 2025

- April Claudio, Contributor

Here’s an update on the last few series of the New York Yankees throughout the back end of May 2025.

On May 12th the Yankees began a 3 game series in Seattle against the Mariners, and won 2 out of 3. The Yankees won game 1, 11-5 but lost Oswaldo Cabrera to the IL due to an ankle injury he suffered on a slide into home plate in the ninth inning. The Yankees were losing this game 1-2 until they scored 6 runs in the fifth inning, 1 in the seventh and 3 in the ninth. Trent Grisham hit two home runs and Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe each hit a home run. Clarke Schmidt earned his first win, pitching 6 innings with 6 strikeouts and only gave up 3 runs. 

Game 2 went extra innings as Max Fried battled Bryan Woo on the mound. Fried struck out 5 and gave up 1 run in 5 innings and Woo struck out 6 and gave up 0 runs in 6 innings. The Yankees scored a run in the top of the ninth inning when Pablo Reyes, who pinch ran for Paul Goldschmidt, scored on a throwing error. Tim Hill gave up 2 singles in the eleventh inning allowing the Mariners to win 1-2. Also in this game DJ LeMahieu returned as he was activated from the injured list.

Game 3, Will Warren got the start against Luis Castillo. Julio Rodriguez hit a 2 run double in the third inning putting them in the lead. Jasson Dominguez hit a RBI double in the sixth inning and Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to tie the game. Aaron Judge hit a solo home run in the eighth inning and the Yankees won 3-2.

The next 3 game series was back in New York against the Mets in the first of six subway series this season. This series also saw the return of Juan Soto to Yankee Stadium. Soto was welcomed to the field many times by boos from the seats. The bleacher creatures even turned their backs to Soto as he entered the outfield. Carlos Rodon gave up 1 run and struck out 5 in five innings. The Yankees took the lead early scoring 4 runs in the third inning off a struggling Tylor Megill who walked 3 and gave up a few singles. Soto walked his first two at bats and scored the Mets first run on a single by Brandon Nimmo in the fourth inning but the Yankees scored 2 more runs in the fourth inning. The Mets tried to rally in the ninth inning but were only able to score 1 run. The Yankees won 6-2. Soto finished the night with 3 walks, a ground out and fly out. Jonathan Loaisiga made his return to the Yankees after recovering from elbow surgery and pitched a one hit scoreless inning.

Game 2 went to the Mets, as Francisco Lindor hit a tie breaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning The Mets won 3-2. DJ LeMahieu and Cody Bellinger hit solo home runs scoring the Yankees only 2 runs. Soto was 1-4 with another walk.

Game 3, the Yankees had a great game thanks to Cody Bellinger who hit a 2 run RBI double in the first inning and a grand slam in the eighth inning. The game was tied 2-2 until the Yankees scored 6 runs in the eighth inning and ultimately won 8-2. Max Fried didn’t earn a win but pitched a solid six innings, giving up only 2 runs and striking out 8. Soto was 0-4.

The Yankees then headed west to Texas and swept the Rangers in 3 games. They won game one with a score of 5-2. Ben Rice hit a solo home run and a RBI sacrifice fly. Anthony Volpe hit a RBI double and Aaron Judge hit a 2 run home run. Will Warren pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out a career high 10, earning his third win. Jonah Heim hit a 2 run home run in the ninth inning scoring the Rangers only runs.

Game 2 was a pitching dual against Jacob deGrom and Ryan Yarbrough.  Yarbrough struck out 8 and gave up 3 hits and 1 run in five innings. deGrom struck out 9 and gave up 2 runs and 3 hits in seven innings. The Yankees won game 2 with a score of 4-3 in the ninth inning as Jasson Dominguez hit a walk off home run.  In this game Cody Bellinger also hit a solo home run and Jake Burger hit 2 home runs and Sam Haggerty hit a solo home run for the Rangers.

The Yankees rounded out the series with another win for Carlos Rodon, his sixth of the season. He pitched six scoreless innings, only giving up 2 hits while he struck out 8. The Yankees bullpen pitched 3 more scoreless innings as the Yankees won 1-0. Their lone run was a home run by Jorbit Vivas, his first major league home run. Nathan Eovaldi also pitched well, giving up only that one run and striking out 6 in six innings.

The Yankees won 11 out of 14 games and now have a record of 30-19.

They will continue their west coast tour as they start off Memorial Day weekend in Colorado against the Rockies. They then head to California for two 3 game series against the Angels and Dodgers.

Some other key notes:
Fernando Cruz was placed on the 15 day injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Jake Cousins had a setback in his rehab sessions delaying his return to the team.

Scott Effross was activated off the injured list but was optioned to the minors.

Oswaldo Cabrera had successful surgery on his ankle and looks forward to returning to the team. Whether that will be this season or not is still unknown.