Rehabbing Aaron takes center stage

TAMPA — Aaron Judge, still rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, has been doing most of his work outside of public view.

So when Judge was seen working with Yankees outfield coordinator Reggie Willits in center field on Saturday, new manager Aaron Boone was forced to tackle the subject of whether the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year would see time in center.

“You never say never,” Boone said. “But there are no plans for that right now.”

But there are plans to use Judge in left field thanks to the arrival of fellow right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.

And it will be up to Willits, who worked with Judge in the minors, to make sure Judge (and perhaps Stanton) can play left.

“I think no matter what, there’s gonna be an adjustment,’’ Willits said of Judge switching corners. “But when you’re as athletic as him and you’ve played before, it’s not gonna be a problem. He’s done it in college and as hard as he works, I know he’s gonna get it, no matter what it is.”

As he jogged off the practice field on Saturday, Judge was asked how it felt to be back in center — even if temporarily.

“Pretty natural,” Judge said. “It was just like college.”

Judge is older and larger than he was during his days at Fresno State, and having already banged himself up playing right last season, seems like an unlikely candidate to move to center.

“We’ve got a lot of guys signed up to play center,’’ Boone said of the outfield roster — which includes Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury.

As for Clint Frazier entering himself into the conversation, Boone acknowledged Frazier approached him about playing center on Friday.

“I will say this, I’m excited about the work he’s putting in,’’ Boone said of the 23-year-old. “We feel like he’s making improvements in the outfield and athletically, there’s a lot more in there defensively.”

The manager also said he is pleased with how well Judge worked with Willits.

“Those two have a relationship already and will put us in a position to make a sound decision when the time comes,” Boone said.

Willits was confident Judge would be up for the challenge.

“Defense is a part of his game people take for granted,’’ Willits said. “He’s always been good out there and he takes it seriously. As long as he does that, he’ll do well.”