The New York Yankees faced a disheartening end to their series against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon, blowing a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. This defeat prevented the Yankees from sweeping the Orioles just before the All-Star break, underscoring some critical needs as the trade deadline nears.
In a surprising post-game decision, the Yankees sent infield prospect Jorbit Vivas back to Triple-A Scranton. Vivas had been called up earlier in the series for additional infield support. Despite manager Aaron Boone suggesting that Vivas might see playing time over the weekend, he remained benched throughout the series and was demoted on Sunday.
Vivas has been performing well in Triple-A, with a .258/.404/.424 batting line this season, along with five home runs, 19 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. His 18.3% strikeout rate and 17.2% walk rate indicate his readiness and disciplined approach at the plate, making his lack of playing time even more puzzling.
Although manager Aaron Boone did not use DJ LeMahieu at his usual third base position in the final game against Baltimore, LeMahieu has still been getting significant playing time. This ongoing preference for LeMahieu, despite his struggles, has been a point of contention among fans and analysts. The game against Baltimore would have been a perfect opportunity for Vivas to showcase his skills, especially with the Yankees needing more support and the trade deadline approaching. However, it seems the Yankees are not yet convinced of Vivas’s ability to contribute positively to their World Series ambitions this season.