Aaron Judge must stay healthy if the New York Yankees want to win the World Series. Last year was terrible. They could not qualify for the postseason. For the first time since 2016, the NY side failed to make the playoffs. They even finished with a horrible 82-80 record. As a result, at the end of the 2023 season, the Bronx Bombers were fourth in the American League East. But the Pinstripes could have avoided this terrible result if the team’s captain had stayed healthy for the most part of the year. Last year, Aaron Judge started really well, hitting 37 home runs overall in 2023. However, in the mid-season, the Yankees captain had a freak accident at the Los Angeles Dodgers fence.
In the end, he had a torn ligament and missed 35 games on the trot. That was a big blow for the NY side. After all, the Yankees had only one superstar slugger last year. That was their captain. But moving to the 2024 season Opening Day, the Yankees can rely on both Judge and the new addition, Juan Soto. After Soto came into the picture along with a couple more hitters, Aaron Boone had to move the captain from the right to the center field. However, on Friday, Aaron Judge started at the left field against the New York Mets at the Steinbrenner Field. But why?
Is Boone Planning To Move Aaron Judge From Center To Left Field?
Aaron Judge will field at the center outfield for the most part of the 2024 season. But the Yankees manager is trying to make the captain comfortable in all three outfield spots. Last year during Spring Training, Giancarlo Stanton sustained an injury in the very beginning of the season. That was the reason why Aaron Judge remained in the right field. On Thursday, Aaron Boone told the media that he is planning to get the 2022 AL MVP reps in the left field.
It is because, in the long regular season that follows, Aaron Judge might have to do it anyway. The Yankees manager plans to do it at least once. Perhaps there can be a situation where very late or in the start of the game, Trent Grisham or Alex Verdugo is out. Hence, Boone feels it is better to have “That in there.” However, the management must be aware that Aaron Judge just came out of an abdominal injury. The Yankees captain must stay fit throughout the year to do something special.
Perhaps Moving The Yankees Captain To Left Field Is A Prudent Move
On Thursday, Aaron Judge returned to the lineup as the team won pretty easily against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Moreover, the Yankees captain had an RBI double, and scored two runs with a walk. Later, in the fourth inning, Boone pulled him out. Moreover, Judge will be in the center of the Yankees outfield. But it is better to give him some rep at the left field as Trent Grisham acts as the fourth outfielder.
2024 will be the Yankees Captain’s age-32 season. Playing at the center field comes with wear and tear every now and then. Hence, it might just be a “Prudent move” on the manager’s part. Aaron Judge will play three more spring training games. And if everything goes right, he will be available for the Opening Day 2024 in Houston.
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