TAMPA, Florida — Aaron Judge will take two days off training due to some fatigue, which Yankees manager Aaron Boone called “typical spring wear and tear.”
Judge left Sunday's game, a 9-8 Yankees win over the Braves in the Grapefruit League after two at-bats. Boone said it was part of a plan to get Trent Grisham more playing time.
With Judge not in any of the Yankees' split lineups on Monday, Boone said he doesn't expect his star hitter to play again until Wednesday against the Red Sox.
“He's a little worn out, which is typical with all the work they do in the cage and back fields in the middle of the spring,” Boone said Monday in Clearwater, Florida.
After Sunday's game, Judge said Boone planned his early departure.
“He talked to me before practice,” Judge said. “He said, 'Hey, I want to talk to you. I've got Krish behind you. Are you okay with two at-bats?' I was like, 'Man, what is this, March 10? I'm fine with what you have to do.
Boone said Judge, who spent two months of last season out of action after spraining ligaments on a concrete fence at Dodger Stadium, has no issues with his right thumb.
“I think Aaron's been really good the last few years, dealing with the irritations and seeing the little things he deals with throughout the year,” Boone added. “He handles himself and defends himself well.”
Judge has appeared in six Grapefruit League games. He has two hits with one double, one RBI, two walks and three runs scored in 14 at-bats (.143).
“I'm going to see him,” Boone continued. “I know sometimes they do a lot of things that you don't see. Especially with your senior players, you want to make sure they're not overdoing it this time of year. At the same time, you have to increase the intensity and get used to recovering them.”
