Before Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox, Yankees' captain Aaron Judge resumed making cutoff throws and throws to second base as he ramps up his progression following a flexor strain.
NEW YORK – Aaron Judge took the next step toward shedding his DH-only status, making throws to second base from right field on Sunday afternoon.
“Can’t wait to get back out there,’’ said the Yankees’ captain.
Just don’t ask about the specifics related to that return, one of the great mysteries in Yankees Universe.
“Another step in his progression…he continues to improve,’’ manager Aaron Boone said of Judge’s comeback from a right flexor strain, limiting him to DH duty since Aug. 5.
“As far as when, I don’t know,’’ Boone said of Judge’s readiness as a right fielder. “We want to do this the right way.’’
By introducing cutoff throws and tosses to second base, Judge said he wasn’t throwing at 100 percent, but “it was higher intensity’’ than normal catch play.
“I’m trying to get my work in get my reps in and treat it like a game,’’ said Judge. “So, when I get out in a game, it doesn’t speed up on me and I kind of push it too much.’’
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton status as occasional right fielder
So, until further notice, Giancarlo Stanton will continue as a sometime right fielder – as he was again Sunday night, with the Yanks desperately trying to avoid being swept in a four-game set by their rivals.
There’s risk in playing Stanton more than occasionally in right field, given his injury history.
But Boone’s lineup is severely compromised when he’s not in there, and the Yanks’ defense is compromised when he is, making the Judge-right field question a daily topic.
“As much as (Judge) wants to be out there and we want him out there, we’ve got to do everything possible to put ourselves in the best position not to reinjure this,’’ Boone said.
Stanton’s health is part of this equation, too, as he made his third defensive start in four days Sunday.
“We talked (Sunday). He felt he was going to be good’’ to start in right field, said Boone, adding that Stanton’s more-than-anticipated outfield play was “because of the urgency of where we are on the calendar.’’
And yet, “we’ve got to be mindful’’ of Stanton’s defensive use. “He’s too important for us moving forward.’’
Since his short stint on the injured list due to the flexor tendon issue, Judge was batting just .218 (12-for-55) with three homers, seven RBI and an .804 OPS in 16 games as a DH.
But the reigning AL MVP said the flexor tendon issue has not impacted his ability as a hitter.
More directly, this period as a non-outfielder has been “brutal,’’ said Judge. “I’m a ballplayer. I want to be…out there making plays on defense, helping my team out.
“I know hitting’s important and all that, but I feel like I can impact the team on both sides.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: "Can't wait to get back out there:'' Aaron Judge making progress toward right field return
Category: Baseball
