TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge made a successful return to the New York Yankees’ lineup on Wednesday night after being sidelined for ten days due to abdominal discomfort. The 31-year-old outfielder batted third and played center field in the Yankees’ exhibition game against the Pirates at Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankees had been cautious with Judge, opting to have him miss a few Grapefruit League games to ensure his readiness for the regular season. Judge split center-field duties with Trent Grisham against the Pirates as the team gradually eased him back into game action. The plan is for Judge to play in four of the final six spring training games before the regular season begins.
In Wednesday’s game, Judge had an RBI double and a walk before being replaced by Grisham in the fourth inning. The Yankees are expected to keep Judge in Tampa for workouts on Thursday before having him play on Friday and Saturday. This will be the first time Judge plays back-to-back days this spring.
Throughout his time off, Judge has been working on his swing and mechanics, with the team ensuring that he is fully recovered from his abdominal discomfort. The Yankees had been monitoring Judge’s progress closely, and they were finally satisfied with his readiness to return to the lineup.
Judge had previously stated that he needed about 30 spring training at-bats to prepare for the regular season, though he may not reach that number. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Judge’s readiness, stating that he was not concerned about the missed at-bats.
The Yankees’ cautious approach with Judge stemmed from the heavy workload he had during the offseason, which likely contributed to his abdominal discomfort. Despite the setback, Judge remained optimistic, preferring to miss a few games in spring training rather than risk missing games in April and May.
Judge’s return to the lineup is a positive development for the Yankees as they prepare for the start of the regular season. His presence in the outfield and his power at the plate will be crucial for the team’s success. The Yankees are hopeful that Judge’s successful return will set the tone for the upcoming season.