Judge notches three hits as he tunes up for Yank playoff run
BUFFALO — Aaron Judge just needs the reps. As the Yankees come down the final stretch of the regular season, the slugger was playing in just his fifth game Tuesday since coming off the injured list. With six games left, Judge really needs to find his timing before the playoffs a week from now.
Tuesday night was a step in the right direction for Judge, whowent3for5withanRBIin the 12-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Judge came into the game on a 2-for-17 slump with two walks and seven strikeouts in 19 plate appearances since returning Sept.16.
“From a personal standpoint, just continue to have good at bats,” said Judge. “From the top of the lineup, we have to just kind of keep it moving, pass the baton. So, if I’m taking my walks in the two hole, if I’m driving the ball and getting on base, like I was earlier in the year, that’s all I can ask for. I just kind of just do my part.”
Judge was slashing .290/ .343/.758 with nine home runs in 68 plate appearances when he initially got hurt.
“It’s good to see him moving so well. And now I think it’s for him just racking up those at bats and, and really locking in, he’s gotten to a lot of deep counts, a couple balls that he’s had a chance to do something with, he’s put on the ground,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I felt like, as he sees more and more pitches, he’s close to locking it in. And so I’ve been encouraged with what I’ve seen, and most importantly, physically, he’s been good and bouncing back well as well.”
That will be a tricky balance in these final few games. Judge missed a total of 30 games on the injured list with a strained right calf. He came back too soon and re-injured it in the first game back, costing him more time the second time around.
So, Boone has to balance getting Judge enough at-bats to get ready without rushing him back to a full-time, everyday player too soon. Tuesday night, Giancarlo Stanton, who missed 32 games with a strained left
hamstring, was out of the starting lineup.
“Judge will have one more off day probably and Giancarlo onemore offday,butotherthan that, we’re playing it pretty straight and playing to try and grind out these wins,” Boone said.
Judge is confident the calf is healed this time and all he needs is the at-bats.
“It feels good. No issues. I’ve been able to run around pain free, no problem. I’m feeling good in the box. It’s gonna take four or five games for me to get the timing back,” Judge said. “I didn’t have a chance to get a lot of live at bats, somewhere else like Scranton or play AAA right now. So it was getting back slowly but surely,”
NO SCOREBOARD WATCHING
While the Yankees are chasing the Twins for the right to host the best-of-three opening series in the playoffs, there was no scoreboard watching this week. Simply because Sahlen Field does not have an out-oftown scoreboard.
Boone kind of misses it.
“I do look because I kind of miss seeing that in ballparks. Most places don’t have that out of town scoreboard (this year),” Boone said. “Whatever point of the season it is, I like looking out there andseeingwhat’sgoing on in the league. But that’s not been something that has been up in most places we played. And not here. “
The out-of-town scoreboard has been on in a few ballparks, but with no fans in the stands, most, including Yankee Stadium, have turned them off for the season.
BULKING UP
After Monday night’s game, the Yankees made a roster movetogivetheirbullpenmore depth. They optioned Michael King to the Alternate Training Site after he couldn’t get out of the third inning of his spot start, and brought back Ben Heller to give them more protection in the bullpen.