Five Yankees issues as they move into a critical stretch

MIAMI – Before exiting Loan Depot Park, the Yankees’ Ben Rice acknowledged that “a little sense of urgency would be good’’ for a club that has lost its way.

“We’re going to have to pick it up eventually,’’ and it starts Monday night with a three-game series at Texas, where the potent Rangers sit two games outside of a wild card spot.

Aaron Boone’s Yankees currently hold the second wild card, with the benefit of a soft September schedule.

But right now, they’ve got to begin navigating through August with these issues looming:

Aaron Judge's comeback, Giancarlo Stanton's status

As the plan goes, Aaron Judge (strained flexor) might be activated from the injured list on Tuesday, his first day eligible.

That’s both joyful and problematic, as Giancarlo Stanton – who entered Sunday with a 1.020 OPS and six homers in his last 13 games- is forced into a reserve role.

For how long?

That’s uncertain, since Judge is set to play exclusively as a DH until he’s ready to return to right field and make throws without issue.

David Bednar & new Yankees' relievers second impression

It was a brutal Yankee introduction for Jake Bird, David Bednar and Camilo Doval.

That trio of relievers, acquired by GM Brian Cashman at Thursday’s MLB trade deadline, contributed to a stunning 13-12 defeat Friday at Miami.

Devin Williams hasn’t inspired much confidence among Yankees Universe in the closer’s role, which Bednar is bound to completely inherit in 2026.

But it’s important for Bednar and company to quickly change the narrative and lock down leads – if there are leads to lock down – before they debut in the Bronx.

Anthony Volpe's increased offense, worrisome defense

Out of the All-Star break, Anthony Volpe has been a rejuvenated hitter, with several clutch-and-late home runs among the seven he’s belted in his last 14 games.

Volpe’s 1.086 OPS in 13 games entering Sunday, at the bottom of the order, lengthened a lineup that went cold after Friday’s 12-run, 15-hit loss. He tripled in Sunday's 7-3 loss.

But the jagged shortstop defense has lingered, including a multi-hop throw Saturday that Paul Goldschmidt scooped (a reminder of how many non-assists Volpe has received on bounced throws lately).

That said, Volpe still looks more mechanical than natural on certain plays, something to watch down the stretch.

Cleaning up Yankees' inconsistent play

No matter how many times the Yankees talk about buttoning up preventable mistakes, there's always something amiss.

This weekend, it was Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s dreadful double-up on a pop fly, and third base coach Luis Rojas getting Trent Grisham tagged out by yards at home plate on a bad send.

It reached a point where Alex Rodriguez and Hall of Fame former Yankees captain Derek Jeter were questioning the Yankees' accountability and attention to detail on the Fox Sports set.

And then A-Rod took a jab at the Yankees' entire roster structure after the trade deadline.

"Here’s my biggest concern,'' said A-Rod. "You bring in seven guys and you’re still miles away from winning a world title.''

Pressure mounting on Aaron Boone

Aaron Boone has faced scrutiny and pressure during his seven seasons as Yankees manager, but this might be his most critical period in pinstripes.

Since May 28, when the Yankees were 35-20 and held a 7.5 game AL East-lead, they've posted a 25-32 record, falling to 4.5 games behind the first place Blue Jays.

"Absolutely feel we have the team to do this, especially with some of the additions we've made in and around the deadline,'' Boone said of third baseman Ryan McMahon, some added bench depth and his trio of late-inning bullpen arms.

"But we’ve got to go do it,'' said Boone. "We have the pieces now to be a really good club. We’ve got to start showing it more consistently.''

And as Boone said, "I think we should be better than what our record is and that starts with me.''

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Five Yankees issues as they move into a critical stretch