According to SNY’s Phillip Martinez, McMahon is expected to be benched for most, if not all, of the Royals series, with the approach likely to extend into the upcoming Red Sox series. In place, Amed Rosario has started at third base against right-handed pitching, including Michael Wacha.
McMahon’s early-season struggles have been pronounced. He entered the stretch with just 5 hits in 42 at-bats, all singles, creating a significant offensive gap in a lineup that has already pressed for run production. Rosario, meanwhile, has produced meaningful results with 9 hits in 34 attempts, including two homers and six RBIs.
Manager Aaron Boone’s decision to start Rosario at third against Wacha is framed as a performance-based move rather than a pure platoon decision. The benching is described as a signal that the Yankees may be prioritizing immediate offensive production over a long-term belief in McMahon’s bounce-back potential.
The scheduling also factors in, with several left-handed starters lined up across the Royals and Red Sox series. That gives Boone a practical reason to sit McMahon, but the deeper aim is to buy time for McMahon to adjust his swing and regain rhythm while Rosario provides a more productive option in the short term.
If Rosario continues to produce, the Yankees could face a broader question about McMahon’s long-term fit at third base. For now, the steps indicate a push toward evaluating depth and production more than preserving a starting role for McMahon, a stance the team is signaling through its in-game decisions.
