Hal Steinbrenner has backed manager Joe Girardi and his coaching staff and blamed players for the New York Yankees' slow start.

The Yankees are in last place in the American League East. Steinbrenner singled out Mark Teixeira, Chase Headley, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino for criticism.

"The first five weeks were disappointing, frustrating, particularly looking at the offense," the owner said. "Clearly not living up to their potential.

"When you look at a guy like Mark Teixeira, clearly, he's not playing to his potential with the bat."

Steinbrenner said Pineda's decline is "concerning."

As for Severino, Steinbrenner said the pitcher has "a confidence issue" and has "to learn how to push through that downturn."

He praised Starlin Castro and Aaron Hicks, along with Girardi, Larry Rothschild and Brian Cashman.

"The coaches are doing a good job," Steinbrenner said. "These are professional athletes. They're the best baseball players in the world, and sooner or later it comes down to them, on the inside, to push through whatever it is they're going through and to persevere."