So far, dropping Alex Verdugo down in the lineup in hopes of easing the pre sure on the slumping left fielder hasnt worked. He went hitle s again in in The Bronx. Verdugo lined out to first with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first and was called out looking on a pitch that was low to lead off the sixth, which led to Aaron Boone being ejected. Im kind of getting tested right now, Verdugo said. It hasnt been the funnest. Its been a little bit of a struggle, but thats what this game is. Alex Verdugo reacts in the dugout after he Jason Kidd Jersey is called for striking out looking during the 6th inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post Verdugo said hes worked with hitting coach James Rowson about getting back to using the entire field after getting pull-happy during his slump. Explore More There have also been more grounders to second from the lefty-swinging Verdugo than he and Boone would like. Im concerned in the sense its been a stretch now where hes [hit it] on the ground a good bit, Boone said before the game. I think theres really good [baseball] out in front of him, still. Nothings changed. Verdugo acknowledged hes been pre sing. Everybody pre ses when they struggle, Verdugo said. You want to come out of it. And with just about everyone other than Juan Soto and Aaron Judge slumping, as well, Verdugos woes are only exemplified. Alex Verdugo reacts after he is called for striking out. Robert Sabo for NY Post Boone said he remains confident Verdugo can get back to where he was earlier in the season. Theres no doubt in my mind its absolutely in there to be who he was the first two months of the season. He was so good in the middle of our order, with big hits. Thats who he is. Boones ejection following the bottom of the sixth by home-plate umpire Edwin Jimenez was the managers fifth of the year and he said it was done more to protect Verdugo from potentially getting to sed. Its an emotional time, Boone said. Guys are going through it. I was more just trying to be a distraction in that situation. Yankees manager Aaron Boone argues balls and strikes with the home plate umpire after Alex Verdugo strikes out looking. Jason Szenes / New York Post Alex Verdugo walks back to the dugout after he is called for striking out looking. Robert Sabo for NY Post Giancarlo Stanton took batting practice off a high-velocity pitching machine Sunday morning on the field and used the se sion to simulate game situations like running out of the box. Just replicating things more, Boone said. Giancarlo Stanton warms up for a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Yankee Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Stanton said Saturday he expects to have a decision on his next steps by the end of this week after building up his stamina. After stealing just one base in their previous 28 games, the Yankees swiped four bases Sunday, both on double steals. Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera did it in the second and Volpe and Trent Grisham pulled it off in the fourth, both with former Yankee Ben Rortvedt behind the plate. The Yankees called up right-hander Yoendrys Gomez on Sunday to provide length in the bullpen if needed. Gomez had been scheduled to start at Triple-A on Sunday but instead was recalled to replace Josh Maciejewski, who was optioned Saturday after throwing the final three innings of their lo s to Tampa Bay. Justin Jackson Jersey