In their first meeting of the 2025 MLB season, the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox, 9-6. The Yankees jumped on Red Sox starter Walker Buehler, roaring out to a 7-0 lead by the second inning.

With lefty Brent Headrick replacing Warren, Cora turned to Romy Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyder, two of the best pinch-hitters on the roster, to bat in place of Mayer and David Hamilton. Gonzalez quickly plated two runs with a single, but Trevor Story and Refsnyder followed with a pair of foul-tip strikeouts to leave two men in scoring position.

The two-time All-Star missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and compiled a 5.38 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, but stepped up late in the team's ensuing postseason run that culminated in a World Series title.