Boone says Yanks being 'proactive' by sitting slugger Judge
Even with an off day waiting Monday, Aaron Judge was out the Yankees’ starting lineup Sunday.
In part because of a looming trip to Tampa Bay’s turf field, manager Aaron Boone said he was being “proactive” by sitting Judge for the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Nationals, which the right fielder got into as a pinch hitter and walked in the ninth inning.
Judge entered the current homestand having sat backto-back days with lowerbody soreness, but started every one of the eight games since before beginning Sunday on the bench.
“He’s been doing better and better all week physically,” Boone said. “I still think he’s dealing with some lower-leg stuff, as you’re grinding through and playing every day. But it’s more of trying to stay out in front, proactive, taking advantage of an off day with the turf coming up. It’s more that.”
The Yankees begin a series with the Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field, the first of 13 games in 13 days. The artificial turf field there can be unforgiving — and has been for Judge’s legs in the past.
Judge had started the homestand with a hot bat but then went 2-for-24 with 14 strikeouts over the next six games. He broke an 0-for-16 skid Saturday with a bloop single, afterwards saying he had “been terrible at the plate” of late.
➤ Luke Voit is on track to join the Yankees on Tuesday against the Rays, if all goes according to plan.
The first baseman, coming back from knee surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, homered and doubled Sunday in his fifth game of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre. He served as the DH on Sunday, after playing seven innings at first base Saturday, and was batting 7-for-18 with three home runs.
“He obviously is an impact hitter, an impact bat and just adds a little bit more length and a little bit more heaviness to our lineup,” Boone said. “It’ll be good to get him back. Feel like he’s in a good spot physically. He’s been able to rack up a lot of live at-bats here this past week.”
The Yankees opened up a roster spot for Voit after Sunday’s game by optioning Miguel Andujar back to Triple-A. He went 0-for-9 in three games.
➤ Gio Urshela could also return to the lineup Tuesday after sitting out the Nationals series with a knee injury suffered Thursday against the Astros.
Urshela was on the field Sunday morning with Rougned Odor (knee sprain), doing agility drills, playing catch and taking ground balls in the infield. They were also scheduled to take swings.
Odor, who went on the injured list Wednesday, “feels good,” Boone said. His progression was going to be determined based on how he came through Sunday’s pregame work.