Yankees' Aaron Boone admits he 'should have' made late-game pinch hitter move

Boone let Randal Grichuk hit for himself in the right-on-right matchup against reliever Hunter Bigge, which didn't work out.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors representing the dynamic action and tension of the game.Boone's late-game pinch hitting decision looms large in the Yankees' narrow defeat.St. Petersburg Today

In a close game against the Rays, Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted he should have sent up veteran slugger Paul Goldschmidt to pinch hit for Randal Grichuk in the 9th inning instead of letting Grichuk hit for himself. Grichuk, who was 0-for-9 to start the season, flew out to end the inning with the go-ahead run on third base. Boone said he considered the move but didn't end up making it, a decision that loomed large as the Yankees went on to lose 5-4 in 10 innings.

Why it matters

Boone's decision not to pinch hit for the struggling Grichuk was a key moment in a close game that the Yankees ultimately lost. It highlights the importance of in-game management decisions by managers, especially in high-leverage situations late in close games. The Yankees are counting on Grichuk to produce against left-handed pitching, so his early-season struggles are something Boone will need to monitor closely.

The details

With two outs in the 9th inning and the go-ahead run on third base, Boone let the right-handed hitting Grichuk face the right-handed reliever Bigge instead of sending up the left-handed hitting Goldschmidt to pinch hit. Grichuk, who was 0-for-9 to start the season, flew out on the first pitch to end the inning. Boone admitted after the game that he 'should have' made the pinch hitter move, saying he 'definitely could have, should have' sent up Goldschmidt instead.

  • The key at-bat occurred in the top of the 9th inning on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Yankees went on to lose the game 5-4 in 10 innings.

The players

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

Randal Grichuk

A Yankees outfielder who was 0-for-9 to start the 2026 season.

Paul Goldschmidt

A veteran slugger on the Yankees' roster who was available to pinch hit in the 9th inning.

Hunter Bigge

The Rays relief pitcher who faced Grichuk in the 9th inning.

Aaron Judge

The Yankees' star outfielder who was on third base as the go-ahead run in the 9th inning.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fair. Definitely could have, should have, whatever. But definitely some consideration.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

“Just felt like it was a good spot for [Grichuk] too. But fair question.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

What’s next

The Yankees will look to bounce back on Sunday, with Aaron Judge potentially getting a day at DH and Giancarlo Stanton sitting against the Rays' right-handed starter Drew Rasmussen. Boone will also continue to monitor Randal Grichuk's early-season struggles and look for opportunities to get the veteran outfielder going at the plate.

The takeaway

Boone's admission that he should have pinch hit for the struggling Grichuk in a key late-inning situation highlights the importance of in-game decision making for MLB managers. While the Yankees ultimately lost the game, Boone's willingness to own up to the missed opportunity shows his commitment to learning from mistakes and making the best choices for his team moving forward.