News

Jul 05, 2023

Yankees Notebook: Aaron Judge doesn't start, pinch

Aaron Judge was out of the Yankees starting lineup Friday for a scheduled day off but entered late as a pinch-hitter as he continues to navigate the injured big toe that kept him out nearly two

Aaron Judge was out of the Yankees starting lineup Friday for a scheduled day off but entered late as a pinch-hitter as he continues to navigate the injured big toe that kept him out nearly two months.

Judge batted for catcher Kyle Higashioka in the seventh inning, striking out against Houston Astros reliever Hector Neris with two runners on base and the Yankees trailing 7-2. Judge, 31, then exited after the three-pitch punch out, with Ben Rortvedt coming into the game to catch.

Before Friday, Judge had started six of the Yankees’ seven games since coming off the injured last week. He served as the team’s designated hitter the previous four days.

“It was either tonight or tomorrow,” manager Aaron Boone said of resting Judge.

“I know he’s not physically all the way there by any means, so I know I’ve got to do it. ... Pleased with how it’s going, but also making sure that I do right by him, but that we get him built up so that hopefully we have him for the bulk of this entire two months [remaining in the season].”

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge didn't start Friday's game vs. the Astros, but came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Judge is 5-for-19 with a home run, two RBI and seven walks since returning to the Yankees lineup on July 28. The reigning American League MVP tore a ligament in his right big toe when a June 3 running catch took him into the Dodger Stadium right field wall.

Not starting Judge on Friday allowed Boone to give the DH spot to Giancarlo Stanton, who played right field the previous two nights. Judge has only played right field once since returning.

“I’ve been really pleased with the level of at-bats,” Boone said of Judge. “He’s able to get off his swing. He’s able to take [pitches] properly. He’s able to do all the things he needs to do in the batter’s box. He’s not getting around the bases as well as he normally would, obviously. I’ve for the most part stayed away from him in the field ... by design, just because he’s not moving quite as well, but hopefully we continue to see improvement there.”

Judge leads the Yankees with 20 home runs, despite only playing in 56 of the team’s 110 games. He also missed games in late April and early May with a hip sprain.

Shortly before returning from the toe injury, Judge said he expected to play through pain.

“We’re good,” Judge said after playing in Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Rays. “I’m running the bases. I just need to touch home plate a couple of times. That will fix everything.”

Back-to-back big games by Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe certainly captured the attention of his manager, who raved Friday about the shortstop’s progress during an up-and-down first season.

The 22-year-old went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday’s victory over the Rays, then delivered a sixth-inning RBI single that proved to be the game-winner Thursday against Houston.

“He’s continued to make little adjustments,” Boone said. “I think he has a way better understanding of what people are trying to do to him, what it takes to be successful at this level, and I feel like he keeps moving the needle offensively.”

Volpe entered Friday with a .215 batting average but has shown flashes of his power and speed with 14 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Boone also praised the defense of Volpe, who is the only Yankee to play in every game this season.

The manager expects Volpe to become more consistent as he gains experience.

“He’s a very, very young man who rocketed through the system. ... I just think he’s handled everything so well, which partly went into the calculus of bringing him out of camp,” Boone said. “Obviously [he] had a great camp, kind of took the job, but we also felt like he was uniquely equipped to handle whatever came his way.”

The Yankees bullpen could soon receive some late-inning firepower, with Jonathan Loáisiga getting close to rejoining the roster.

The hard-throwing right-hander was scheduled to make a final rehab start Friday night with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, then take Saturday and Sunday off before being activated Monday by the Yankees, Boone said.

Loaisiga last pitched for the Yankees on April 5 and underwent surgery in May to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. The reliever had a 2.70 ERA over three early-season appearances.