Judge held out as a precaution

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was held out of action for a second day in a row Sunday due to a stiff neck.

The 2017 AL rookie of the year was scratched from a simulated game Saturday after waking up with a sore neck, and the right fielder was not included in either lineup for an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday.

New York manager Aaron Boone said Judge got treatment at Yankee Stadium on Sunday and was improving.

“Just thought it was better not to push through it today,” Boone said.

The Yankees are set to open a pandemic-shortened season July 23 at Washington.

Judge was diagnosed with a broken rib in March and used the coronavirus hiatus to recover. He had been swinging at full strength for at least a couple of weeks before camp opened and had been a full-go in intrasquad action over the past week.

The 6-foot-7 star has missed time each of the past two seasons. He broke his right wrist on a hit-by-pitch in 2018 and went on the injured list for two months last year with a left oblique strain.

Cubs

While expressing some trepidation about playing during the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago starter Yu Darvish was swayed to report to camp — and stay — after seeing how seriously his teammates were taking matters.

“It was a tough decision but everyone is doing it [playing],” Darvish said through an interpreter while wearing a mask in a Zoom call. “Everyone has concerns but everyone decided to play so it makes it easier of me to make a decision to play.

“I still have concerns.” Darvish, 33, had worries about the virus going back to spring training, in March. In fact, during a short illness, he made sure to stay away from teammates while getting himself checked out.

Dodgers

Closer Kenley Jansen revealed he tested positive for the coronavirus but has recovered and is participating in training camp. Jansen said his young son was the first member of his family to test positive, but everyone in his household has recovered.

“It is real,” Jansen, who experienced symptoms, said of the virus. “Everyone in the world, take it serious. Wear your mask at all times, if you can. Because, trust me, it happens so fast. Once my son got it, I’ve seen how fast it can spread. We tried to do everything, but we all got it in the house.”

Braves

Atlanta said in an email to season-ticket holders that they will not be changing their nickname but will take a further look at the future of the tomahawk chop.