New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a fresh progress report on Aaron Judge before Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, giving fans a clearer picture of the slugger’s long road back.
The Yankees entered the contest still stinging from a 10-1 defeat in the series opener Monday.
Judge has not played since May 31. Boone said the three-time American League MVP took swings off a Trajekt pitching machine before the club left New York.
Greg Joyce of The New York Post wrote: “Aaron Judge hit off the Trajekt machine before the Yankees left NY, Boone said. No Trajekt available on the road, but they can have him face high-velocity pitching machines this week. Continues to respond well.”
That limited option is all the visiting clubhouse can offer this week.Judge is in his 11th season with the Yankees.
Before the injury sidetracked him, he was hitting .248 with 53 hits, 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, 43 runs and five stolen bases across 59 games.
MLB.com wrote (on August 31): “Traveled with club to West Coast, hopes to return without rehab assignment. Could return for Yankees’ next homestand.”
The team is treating the trip as another step rather than a setback.
Gary Phillips reported: “While Aaron Judge can continue to face velocity on non-Trajekt machines out west (not available in visiting facilities), he probably won’t get to see live pitching until the #Yankees return home, Aaron Boone said.”
Joyce later added: “Judge also just stood in on Max Fried’s bullpen, tracking live pitching. Unlikely he’ll be able to swing at any live pitching until the Yankees get back home.”
The Yankees sit second in the AL East at 78-60 after 138 games. They have gone 5-5 in their last 10 contests and own a 41-29 mark in 70 road games.
One more game remains against the Angels before New York heads to San Diego to face the Padres on Friday.
Boone’s comments suggested Judge is moving in the right direction even if live at-bats will have to wait until the next homestand. The club is clearly hoping the extra work this week keeps the momentum going without forcing a lengthy minor-league assignment.
Judge’s presence on the West Coast trip at least lets him stay connected to the team while he continues his gradual buildup.
