Slump-trusting
The Yankees’ offense continues to produce, even with two of the team’s most dangerous hitters in lengthy slumps.
Gary Sanchez entered Tuesday’s game against the Orioles with just one hit and five strikeouts in 11 atbats since he returned from the injured list. Prior to the IL stint (for a groin strain), Sanchez had been mired in an 18 at-bat hitless streak.
Aaron Judge entered Tuesday in an even lengthier slide, with just one homer in his previous 18 games, along with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts.
“He’s working to get right and when he does, look out,’’ Aaron Boone said before the game of what the lineup will look like once Judge gets going.
Perhaps Tuesday’s 8-3 victory was a positive step, as Judge lined to third on a 3-0 pitch in the first, with the out clocked at 115.3 mph and added a two-run double to left in the fourth inning.
“It was good to get a result and an extra-base hit,’’ Boone said. “Hopefully it’s him starting to get more comfortable.’’
Boone said Sanchez had been dealing with “zone control” issues. Tuesday, Sanchez, as the DH, had a runscoring double in the fourth.
“If he controls the zone, the swing is special,’’ the manager said. “The talent is special. He’s just leaving the zone a little bit too much.”
Asked why that was the case, Boone pointed to the time missed because of the injury as a possible reason.
But Boone said he remains confident both sluggers would regain their form soon.
“Then, buckle up,’’ Boone said.
➤ Boone said Giancarlo Stanton, another slugger who has been limited by health woes this season, is making progress from his right knee sprain.
He’s running “75-85 percent” on the anti-gravity treadmill and once he gets to 90 percent, Boone said Stanton can begin running outside.
At that point, Stanton will be able to pick up his defensive work, as well as the amount of hitting he’s doing in the cage.
The next week or two will help determine when Stanton might be able to finally rejoin the team.
➤ The Yankees had just a two-man bench on Tuesday, choosing instead to carry an extra pitcher.
“Sure, there’s hesitation,’’ Boone said of the decision. “I would think that will probably change here very soon. We felt we needed length [in the bullpen] in this stretch [of 19 games in 17 days].”
➤ A day after picking up the win in the Yankees’ victory over the Orioles in Monday’s nightcap, Joe Mantiply was designated for assignment. Right-hander Adonis Rosa was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and pitched the final two innings Tuesday in his MLB debut, allowing one run on a Renato Nunez homer. “[Rosa] was fearless,” Boone said. “He gave us what we needed.”
And he was optioned after the game.
Right-hander Daniel Camarena was released from SWB’s roster.
➤ Gio Urshela became the first Yankee to have three hits in three straight games since Alfonso Soriano in 2015.
➤ CC Sabathia reported no issues with his bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to be slotted back into the rotation for the upcoming series against the Indians — as long as he doesn’t have any issues with his surgically repaired right knee.