The New York Yankees are facing a significant infield problem as third baseman Ryan McMahon continues to underperform through the first third of the 2026 MLB season.
The team trails the first-place Tampa Bay Rays by 3 1/2 games in the American League East after a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
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McMahon, who is under a six-year, $70 million contract through 2027, has posted a . 187 batting average, a .
562 OPS, and 47 strikeouts across 50 appearances this year.
He was acquired from the Colorado Rockies before the 2025 trade deadline, leaving New York with $16 million obligations for both this season and next.
The Athletic's Brendan Kuty highlighted the severity of McMahon's slump, noting his low production and high strikeout rates along with defensive shortcomings.
"[Ryan] McMahon’s 60 wRC+ is the worst among Yankees regulars, and he’s graded out poorly on defense (minus-3 Defensive Runs Saved)," wrote Kuty.
"He’s been almost unplayable."
Yankees manager Aaron Boone previously defended the former All-Star during the opening weeks of the regular season, expressing confidence in a potential turnaround against right-handed pitchers.
"Mac’s a good major league hitter," Boone told reporters on April 8, per SNY. "It’s 10 games in, okay?
He’s (struggling) right now, but the reality is, the last three games, he’s been on base four times too, with walks and hits and big at-bats."
Boone elaborated on his expectations for the veteran player amid the team's slow offensive start.
