Yanks focus on Trade Deadline, Judge amid tough stretch

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

There was a brief celebration in the Yankees’ clubhouse after Wednesday’s game, during which Carlos Rodón clutched the gold-plated belt passed around after each victory, the pitcher thanking his teammates for their role in helping notch his first win in nearly a calendar year.

There was applause, and that day’s work was complete, the attention immediately shifting to tomorrow.

So begins a crucial week for the Yankees, who will travel to Baltimore for a three-game series that opens on Friday, then return home to face the Rays and Astros. Their performance will determine how general manager Brian Cashman and his lieutenants will see the roster ahead of Tuesday’s Trade Deadline.

“Everybody knows it’s going to be a tough week right here,” said infielder-outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. “We’ve got to take care of business so we’re able to help our team out.”

Despite residing in last place in the American League East, eight games behind the division-leading Orioles, the Yankees (54-48) entered Thursday’s off-day just 2 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot.

“Let’s go, baby,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We understand where we’re at. We’re getting down to the final couple of months. We understand how important these games are and how important these series are. And that’s also the fun part of it.”

It is believed that the Yankees are planning to add before the Deadline, though they are reluctant to move top prospects such as Jasson Domínguez and Everson Pereira.

There are obvious needs, beginning with left field, where Boone has already rotated nine players this season -- Oswaldo Cabrera, who leads the team with 36 games at the position, is currently in Triple-A. Published reports have connected the Yankees to the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger, the Cardinals’ Dylan Carlson and the Rockies’ Randal Grichuk.

With Jose Trevino headed for season-ending surgery, the Yanks could look to acquire a catcher in hopes of supplementing their current tandem of Kyle Higashioka and Ben Rortvedt. The bullpen has shown signs of fatigue lately, despite a perfect 3 1/3 innings in relief of Rodón on Wednesday, though Jonathan Loáisiga’s pending return figures to provide a fresh arm.

And then there’s “the big guy,” as Kiner-Falefa mentioned on Wednesday. There has been mystery and intrigue shrouding every aspect of Aaron Judge’s recovery from a right big toe injury on June 3, so it is no surprise that the Yankees are choosing their words carefully about his progress.

Boone acknowledged that Judge left the club’s complex in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday following two days of workouts, but the manager would not confirm a New York Post report that indicated the club plans to activate Judge for Friday’s series opener against the Orioles.

Judge has said he does not expect to be pain-free upon his return, but he’s been hitting, running and throwing in recent weeks. If Judge gets a green light, his teammates will eagerly welcome the reigning American League MVP back for what could be their make-or-break stretch.

“He’s arguably the best player in the game,” Rodón said. “It’ll be nice to have that bat and we’ll see what he does in the outfield, but it’ll definitely be nice to have that bat. That’s our captain. That’s our leader. It will be nice to have him back.”