Judge rests with lower body tightness
BOSTON -- One night after belting his Major League-leading 30th home run, Aaron Judge was held out of Thursday’s Yankees lineup against the Red Sox at Fenway Park with tightness in his “lower body,” including his calves, according to manager Aaron Boone.
“It’s more the last couple of days; he’s been grinding through a lot this half,” Boone said. “I just know when he starts to get that tightness down there, it’s not something that I want to become a bigger issue.”
Judge -- who hit his third career grand slam in New York’s 16-0 win over the Pirates on Wednesday in Pittsburgh -- did not take on-field batting practice before Thursday’s game, instead receiving treatment in the visitors’ clubhouse.
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“The lower half, his calves, he just gets a little heavy and tight,” Boone said. “More than anything, it’s just something I don’t want to mess with, especially with where we are in the season. I don’t want it to be a larger issue, so it’s hopefully something we will get out ahead of.”
Boone said that he expected Judge to be available as a pinch-hitter, if necessary, and then return to the lineup on Friday.
In 80 games this season, Judge has batted .287/.366/.627, leading the Majors with 65 runs scored, 30 homers and 190 total bases. His 64 RBIs pace the American League, and he has already been selected as a starting outfielder for the All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The Yankees’ early-morning arrival in Boston played into the decision, Boone said. Judge was also not in New York’s lineup on Sunday against the Guardians, leading into Monday’s scheduled off-day.
New York’s 14-game advantage in the American League East has provided Boone with cushion to rest Judge; Boone said if this series were being played in late September or in the playoffs, both Judge and first baseman Anthony Rizzo (lower back stiffness) would have been in the lineup.
“It’s a long year -- 162 games, with the travel built in and everything else like that,” said general manager Brian Cashman. “Nothing is glaring to me, especially when you’re in a position to be careful and play things safe to make sure people rejuvenate. I think it’s a smart play by Boonie.”