Judge, Chapman work out, could return this week
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge had 11 at-bats in a simulated game and New York closer Aroldis Chapman threw 22 pitches, perhaps the last steps before both are cleared to return to full action.
The team said Judge faced right-handers A.J. Cole and Chance Adams along with minor league left-hander Phillip Diehl at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Judge is recovering from a broken right wrist, sustained when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis on July 26.
Judge’s only major league action since then was two innings in right field on Friday night.
Chapman threw to Tyler Wade and Kyle Higashioka. He has not pitched in a game since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis.
The team said Judge and Chapman did not have any issues. Manager Aaron Boone said last weekend that Judge and Chapman could return during the three-game series against Boston scheduled to start Tuesday.
The Red Sox can clinch the AL East by winning any of the games in New York, while the Yankees hold the top AL wild-card spot.
Brewers’ Yelich hits for cycle against Reds again
Christian Yelich hit for the cycle for the second time this season, setting a major league record by doing it twice against one team.
The Brewers’ slugger completed his cycle Monday night with a sixth-inning triple during Milwaukee’s 8-0 home win against the Reds. Yelich also hit for the cycle when he went 6 for 6 on Aug. 29 in Cincinnati, making him the fifth player to accomplish the feat twice in one season — and first in Brewers history.
He became the first major leaguer to do it twice in one year against the same team.
The previous player with two cycles in one season was Aaron Hill in 2012.
Yelich singled in the first inning, doubled in the second, launched a tworun homer in the fifth and added a two-run triple in the sixth.
With the Brewers nursing a large lead, he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth.
Yelich’s huge second half has turned him into a top contender for the NL MVP award.
Tigers’ Fulmer seeks 2nd opinion for possible meniscus issue
Michael Fulmer is seeking a second opinion after an MRI showed possible damage to the right-hander’s meniscus.
Manager Ron Gardenhire, an Okmulgee High School alum, gave that update on Fulmer’s status before Monday night’s game against Minnesota. Fulmer was removed after five pitches Saturday at Cleveland.
He tweaked his right knee trying to field a bunt attempt.
Fulmer, the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year, is 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA this season.
He’s had health issues over the past couple years, spending time on the disabled list with elbow and oblique problems.