Yankees Are Balancing Out To Their Best, Bringing In Injured Aaron Judge While Also Letting Him Rest

Aaron Judge desires to participate in every game. His manager would like to have his finest player listed as the Yankees’ daily starting lineup.

Therefore, why is Judge sitting out on Friday night’s crucial game against the Houston Astros, which is part of a crucial stretch when the Yankees are trying to get back into the playoff picture?

Yankees Are Balancing Out To Their Best, Bringing In Injured Aaron Judge While Also Letting Him Rest

Naturally, the 2023 season has not been the slugging outfielder’s typical season.

He bypassed participating in recovery games in order to assist the struggling Yankees as soon as possible after missing nearly two months due to a ruptured ligament in his right big toe.

This season, he might not be at full strength at all.

“I certainly don’t like [not] writing his name in the lineup. But also, I’m really excited about his at-bats,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees hosted the Astros in The Bronx on Friday night. “I know he’s not physically all the way there by any means. I know I’ve gotta do it, and even going into this 13-game stretch, knowing there are going to be a couple [of games he can’t play in].

The judge would be in session on either Friday or Saturday, according to Aaron Boone. He is still trying to deal with the pain from the right big toe ligament tear that put him on the disabled list for nearly two months. Additionally, Boone may use this as an opportunity to give Giancarlo Stanton a day break from playing designated hitter.

Pleased with how it’s going, but also make sure I do right by him, that we get him built up so hopefully we have him for the bulk of the entire two months.”

Since returning, Judge had gone 5-for-18 at the plate while also walking seven times and striking out four times.

He has been regularly moved about, yet he hasn’t exhibited much rust either. He had also only ever played one game in the outfield, with the rest of the time being spent as the designated hitter.

 

“The biggest thing is I’ve been really, really pleased with are the level of at-bats,” Boone said. “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.

“For the most part, I’ve stayed away from him in the field a little bit by design, just because he’s not moving quite as well. But hopefully, we continue to see improvement there. We just have to make sure we take care of him, build him up.”

Judge participated in two games in Baltimore after being activated off the disabled list before taking a day off. After playing in the following four games in a row, all at designated hitter, Friday marks his first day of rest.

As a result, Judge should be able to participate in the following five games (from Saturday through Wednesday). On the other hand, Judge may get a day off on Wednesday, the series finale against the White Sox. Judge would then have two rest days in a row before the Yankees’ trip to Miami on Thursday.

If the trend continues, Judge should be available for the last three games against the Marlins and the following three in Atlanta against the Braves on the Yankees’ road trip.

Judge is 5-for-18 (.278) with one home run and four strikeouts since returning from the IL. He has been taking his seven walks and advancing to second base, leading to an excellent OBP of.480.

 

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