Yankees’ Judge confident on playing opener
Aaron Judge says he's pretty sure discomfort in his abdomen that sidelined him this week won't cause him to miss the New York Yankees' March 28 opener at Houston.
The 31-year-old said he started to feel discomfort on the follow-through of his swing about a week ago. He last played Sunday, striking out in both at-bats, and said he expects to resume swinging a bat this week. He had an MRI on Monday.
“We ran tests. Everything comes back good,” Judge said Tuesday.
"A little banged up. The most important thing is opening day, and I rather take some days now and be smart about it.”
Judge missed 42 games last season with a torn ligament in his right big toe, an injury sustained when he ran into Dodger Stadium's right-field fence on June 3, He started his offseason hitting program in November.
“I think just from swinging from November all the way until now every single day kind of get some wear and tear on it,” Judge said. “And especially coming back after a toe injury when you're trying to, you know, mechanics are a little messed up and you're just working on something. So I think it's just part of being a baseball player every day.”
MONTAS TO START REDS' OPENER
Reds manager David Bell said Frankie Montas' preparation and commitment helped the 30-yearold right-hander earn Cincinnati's opening day start against Washington on Monday.
Cincinnati signed Montas to a $16 million, one-year deal, hoping his surgically repaired shoulder will allow him to have an impact in a starting rotation alongside young pitchers like Hunter Greene, who will start game 2.
Montas started openers with Oakland in 2020 and 2022 but was limited to one appearance last year with the Yankees.