"That was the best team I'd ever seen, it was unbelievable" - Yankees reliever Michael Tonkin optimistic about team's rebound amid recent slump

On Wednesday, the New York Yankees lost the Subway Series 0-2 as the New York Mets swept them on their home turf. This loss brings their season record to 60-44. They are now a game and a half behind the Baltimore Orioles (60-41), the top team in the AL East Division.

It's a huge downfall from their impressive 21-7 performance in May. In July, for the first time this year, they are under .500 in 18 games (6-12 record), winning only a single series against the O’s earlier this month.

However, Michael Tonkin, the Yankees’ reliever, expressed his optimism over the setback in his recent appearance on MLB Network Radio.

“It’s been a tough stretch, If you’re not bothered by this or a little frustrated, I think you’re not normal," Tonkin said. "You have to be a little bit frustrated with this. They know we are better than this. And I think that’s the biggest thing as far as getting out of it.”

"In May, that was the best team I'd ever seen, it was unbelievable. We're still that same team. We are not far from being back to that same team. … This isn’t the way we played the past month. That’s not who we are. I think we’re going to be just fine. “

Tonkin joined the Yankees in April after being designated for assignment by the Mets. He has appeared in 29 games, going 2-2 with a 2.04 ERA over 39.2 innings. However, he is in a slump along with the rest of the squad, having earned four runs in 7.2 innings during his last five outings.

Yankees big roster updates since May

The Yankees have had significant roster changes since their season-best performance in May, mostly due to injuries to their core players.

The Yankees have placed reliever Nick Burdi (hip, 60-day IL), infielder Jon Berti (calf, 60-day IL) and ace Clarke Schmidt (strained lat, 60-day IL) on the injured list.

Last month, starter Cody Poteet (tricep, 15-day IL), reliever Ian Hamilton (LAT, 15-day IL), first baseman Anthony Rizzo (fractured forearm, 60-day IL) and Giancarlo Stanton (strained hamstring, 10-day IL) joined them without any timetable for return. This month, catcher Jose Trevino was placed on a 10-day IL with a strained quad.

On the flip side, Gerrit Cole joined the lineup in June, and rookie Ben Rice was called up to the majors to replace Rizzo. They acquired infielder J.D. Davis from the Oakland Athletics. These changes intensified the Yankees' approach to the trade deadline, potentially surprising their rivals.

The Yankees will face the Boston Red Sox for a three-game series starting Friday at Fenway Park, hoping to end their slump.