Judge could return to lineup Saturday
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge could be back in the lineup Saturday after being slowed by abdominal discomfort.
Judge hasn’t taken onfield batting practice or hit in a game since Sunday. He had an MRI on Monday.
New York manager Aaron Boone intends to have Judge to play center field Saturday against Toronto. Judge is more focused on the March 28 opener at Houston.
“We’re in no rush,” Judge said Thursday. “In the season, I’m definitely in there right now but our goal is March 28.”
Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani is sharing the identity of his new wife with a photo of the couple on his social media.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star is next to Mamiko Tanaka in a photo showing him with teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto standing in front of an airplane. The photo was posted on Ohtani’s Instagram account. The Dodgers posted a photo of the newlyweds on the team’s X account next to one of Mookie Betts and his wife.
Braves: Adam Duvall is returning for another stint with Atlanta, which signed the slugging outfielder to a $3 million deal for the 2024 season.
The 35-year-old Duvall is expected to platoon in left field with newcomer Jarred Kelenic.
White Sox: Hard-throwing Chicago right-hander Michael Kopech will pitch out of the bullpen instead of the starting rotation, another disappointing development in a career that hasn't lived up to expectations.
The announcement about Kopech came one day after Chicago traded ace Dylan Cease to San Diego. Brewers: Milwaukee will open the season without All-star closer Devin Williams, who could miss at least three months because of two stress fractures in his back.
Williams pitched through back soreness at the end of last season, and sought a second opinion after feeling discomfort this spring.