​NEW YORK — Literally and figuratively, the Yankees were limping to the All-Star break with 14 losses in 18 games before salvaging a split in a four-game series at Tampa Bay and sweeping the Nationals in D.C. to make it four in a row.The mini surge left the Yankees with a 54-42 record that is second best in a weak American League, but three games behind the AL East-leading Rays.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat should we make of the Yankees’ first half?Here’s one way you can sum it up:Injuries, injuries, injuries.They’ve overcome a lot of big blows to the rotation — Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon starting the season on the IL, Max Fried being shelved since May and Rodon getting hurt again — but losing two-time reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge has been the most costly.The Yankees were 36-23 when Judge played his last game on May 31 and 15-19 since. They’ve scored three or fewer runs 16 times in the 34 games, dropping all but three.Surprisingly, the Yankees are second in the AL in runs scored and first in homers and OPS. Ben Rice is the MVP conversation, but Austin Wells, Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm are underachieving.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe bullpen has been the biggest surprise with an MLB-best 3.10 ERA.Weighing everything, how do the Yankees grade out?Here’s our midseason report card:Stats: .279 average, 337 AB, 64 runs, 94 hits, 29 HR, 68 RBI, 2 SB, 48 BB, 91 K, .971 OPS, 91 games.Fast facts: First-time All-Star is second in AL in homers, RBI and OPS, third in runs, 11th in hits, 12th in walks and 13th in average and on-base percentage. … Hitting .255 with 15 homers in 39 home games and .295 with 14 homers in 52 road games. … His 92.1 average exit velocity is in the top 89th percentile. … Minus-5 ranking in Baseball Savant’s Outs Above Average ties for second lowest among AL first basemen. … Has made 47 starts at first base and 39 at DH.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGrade: A+Stats: .258 average, 240 AB, 32 runs, 62 hits, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 1 SB, 18 BB, 61 K, .808 OPS, 68 games.Fast facts: Began season as bench player, starting 11 of Yankees’ first 31 games. … Began playing regularly a week after Giancarlo Stanton went on the IL in late April and started 48 of Yankees’ last 65 games since May 1. … His .337 against left-hand pitching is third-highest among 55 players with at least 100 at-bats vs. lefties. … Has a career-best 15.7 home run rate. … His 15 homers and 42 RBI in 262 plate appearances blow away his 2025 totals, 10 homers and 45 RBI in 434 PA. … Had a career-worst 0-for-34 (with 15 strikeouts) from June 29 to July 11, the longest hit drought by a Yankee since Aaron Hicks’ 0-for-34 in 2022. … His plus-4 Baseball Savant’s Outs Above Average ranks third best among 40 qualifying first basemen. … Seven of his 15 homers have come in first inning. … His 387 career homers are the fourth most among active players behind Giancarlo Stanton’s 456, Mike Trout’s 422 and