Aaron Judge, the reigning American League MVP, will not be making his anticipated appearance in the New York Yankees’ first home Grapefruit League game this Friday at Steinbrenner Field. Instead, fans will have to wait until March 1 to see him in action, as manager Aaron Boone has decided to delay his spring debut. Judge has participated in the Yankees’ opening home game for the past four years, making this absence notable.
Boone explained his cautious approach regarding Judge’s playing time, emphasizing the importance of not rushing the star outfielder back into action. "With Aaron, now having done this nine to 10 years into his career now, what did he play, 158 games last year?" Boone stated. He is focused on ensuring that Judge has a steady buildup of at-bats as the season approaches, aiming for a balance between readiness and health.
Judge himself expressed his willingness to follow Boone’s plan, indicating that he is comfortable with the timeline and eager to participate fully in the final week of spring training. He noted that he is looking forward to playing almost every day during that period, aiming for three to four at-bats per game.
In addition to Judge, Boone is also targeting March 1 for the debut of catcher Austin Wells, who has been held out of early games due to a heavy workload last season. DJ LeMahieu is expected to make his appearance in the middle of next week, further adding to the anticipation surrounding the Yankees’ lineup.
The Yankees’ first game against the Tampa Bay Rays will feature several regulars, including Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, Jasson DomÃnguez, and Cody Bellinger, with J.C. Escarra catching for pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Adding to the excitement at Yankees camp, former pitcher Roger Clemens is set to return as a guest instructor. Boone expressed his enthusiasm about Clemens’ presence, highlighting the wealth of knowledge he brings to the team. Clemens has not been involved with the Yankees since his retirement in 2007, making this a significant reunion.
On the injury front, pitcher Clarke Schmidt addressed concerns about his back issue, which he described as minor. Schmidt had experienced some soreness after throwing last week but remains optimistic about resuming his buildup. He plans to throw a bullpen session on Friday, marking a step toward his full return to action.
As the Yankees prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on the health and readiness of their key players, particularly Judge, as they aim to build on last year’s success.