‘Beat-up’ Judge to spend a few days on the bench
TAMPA — When Aaron Judge exited Sunday’s game after two at-bats — sooner than the Yankees’ other regulars — fans began to panic. However, Aaron Boone said afterward that the early departure was planned so that Judge could split the day with fellow center fielder Trent Grisham.
On Monday, Judge remained out of two lineups with the Yankees playing split squad games against the Orioles in Tampa and the Phillies in Clearwater. At the latter locale, Boone told reporters that Judge is “beat up” midway through spring training. The new plan is for him to rest until Wednesday when the Yankees host the Red Sox.
Boone added that it’s Judge’s core that is bothering him, according to NJ.com’s Randy Miller.
While not nearly as alarming as Boone’s Monday morning reveal that Gerrit Cole needs an MRI on his elbow, Judge didn’t participate in a scheduled batting practice session at George M. Steinbrenner Field, per NJ.com’s Max Goodman.
“I talked to him today. He’s in good spirits, so that’s all I can go on,” bench coach Brad Ausmus said of Judge after managing the Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Orioles at GMS. “He was kind of going to have a light day. Even yesterday, Boonie said that he would have a light day, and then I asked him what he wanted to do. And he said he was just gonna come in and chill. Boonie’s done that with other players this spring as well.”
Judge, the 2022 American League MVP, played in only 106 games last season. A torn ligament in his big toe, which still requires maintenance, took the biggest chunk out of his season. However, a hip injury also forced the 31-year-old to the injured list for a brief time.
Despite missing significant time, Judge still crushed 37 home runs last season.
In addition to forming a deadly duo with Juan Soto on offense, the Yankees are counting on Judge to play center field for them this season. However, that will come with more DH days as the Yankees try to monitor his workload in the outfield. Having an elite defender like Grisham will help with that.