Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Judge is "close" to throwing to bases, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Judge hasn't played the outfield in a game since before he landed on the IL with a flexor strain in late July. Though the slugger has been taking part in a throwing program, it hasn't yet included throwing to bases. Judge seems to be close to advancing to that step, which would move him closer to being able to return to defensive work during games. For the time being, though, he'll likely remain New York's primary DH, which has resulted in Giancarlo Stanton getting more frequent rest days and playing right field when he is in the lineup.
Judge went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, a walk and three total runs scored in Tuesday's 13-3 victory versus the Rays.
Judge hit the first of a franchise-record-tying nine New York homers, going deep to center field in the first inning. The long ball was the slugger's 40th of the campaign, marking the fourth time in his career he's reached that milestone. Per MLB.com, Judge is the fourth Yankee -- joining Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle -- with four career campaigns of 40-plus homers.
Yankees' Aaron Judge: Return to outfield undetermined
Rotowire
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Judge (elbow) will not play the outfield during the team's two-game series against the Rays that runs through Wednesday, and he is unsure whether Judge will be ready to play the field for the four-game set versus the Red Sox that concludes Sunday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Judge has expanded his throwing out to 150 feet as he works his way back from a right flexor strain. Boone conceded that Judge is unlikely to be able to throw like he normally does at any point this season, but the goal is to get him to a spot where "he can go out there and be able to protect himself and represent himself." With Judge limited to designated-hitter duty, the Yankees have been mixing in Giancarlo Stanton in right field, although they have been reluctant to make Stanton a full-time outfielder. Stanton's playing time could continue to be somewhat limited until Judge is ready to return to right field.
Judge went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two walks in Saturday's victory over the Cardinals.
Judge opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before adding a solo shot in the third, his 39th homer of the season. The superstar slugger has tallied six seasons with 30-plus homers and sits just one long ball shy of his fourth 40-homer campaign.
Judge went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, an additional run and three walks in Tuesday's 9-1 win over Minnesota.
Judge didn't have many opportunities to swing the bat, as the Twins put him on base three times via walks, one of which was intentional. It's logical that Minnesota would pitch around the slugger after he crushed a 425-foot solo shot in his first plate appearance. Judge had been in somewhat of a slump coming into Tuesday, going seven games without a homer and batting just .182 (4-for-22) during that span. He's still leading all qualified MLB hitters in batting average (.337) and OPS (1.141), though, and is rounding out an MVP-caliber campaign with 38 homers, 88 RBI, 94 runs and seven stolen bases through 110 contests.
Yankees' Aaron Judge: Will not play outfield versus Twins
Rotowire
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he does not expect Judge to play the outfield during the team's series versus the Twins that runs through Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Boone indicated Sunday that Judge should be ready to play the outfield soon, and while that presumably is still the case, it won't come early this week. Judge has been limited to designated hitter duty since returning from a flexor strain last week. Judge's inability to play the field has limited Giancarlo Stanton's playing time, although Stanton is getting a start in right field Monday.
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