The New York Yankees gave their star slugger Aaron Judge an early All-Star break on Monday. The Yankees have a big week ahead. They will play a doubleheader on Saturday, with the All-Star game scheduled for July 19. Thus, the Bombers’ right-fielder would not get an actual All-Star break. The three-time All-Star will start for the American League during the All-Star Game at Dodgers Stadium. Hence, Aaron was out of the starting lineup on Tuesday after receiving a full-day off on Monday. The Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that he wanted to give Judge back-to-back days off ahead of a busy week.
Judge’s absence from the lineup was a concern to the fans as he missed Boston’s game on Thursday due to calf soreness. However, both Judge and Boone claimed that the outfielder was over the issue and healthy. Meanwhile, Judge came out as a pinch hitter for Joey Gallo in the ninth innings during the Yankees’ 4-3 loss against the Reds in the Bronx. Boone said Judge was through the calf soreness before his short outing on Tuesday, where he was struck out. Boone took advantage of the off-day, aiming to play the two-time Silver Slugger five straight games before the All-Star break. The Yankees boss said they were trying to balance the day’s urgency and the long game. He added, “Just trying to be smart with that.”
Although Aaron was happy to have back-to-back offs heading into the break. The 30-year-old shared that he would not get a break next week. Judge continued, “So I think it’s just them saying, We can take two days now. It’ll be your All-Star break and then let’s go get them.”
New York Yankees Injury Updates
Ron Marinaccio, who has been on the IL since July 3 due to shoulder inflammation, threw a 25-pitch bullpen on Tuesday. The reliever did not concede a run in his last 15 1/3 innings before being sidelined. The 27-year-old told that it was his first time getting a cortisone shot, and he did not know what to expect. Ron was unwell last weekend. But surprisingly, a five-day off helped him feel better. The Pinstripers are yet to make a call about Marinaccio needing to head to a rehab assignment.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Loaisiga, on the IL for a similar issue, played his second rehab game on Tuesday for the triple-A Scranton. The 27-year-old conceded a run on three hits, claiming two strikeouts in an inning. Loaisiga threw 19 out of 23 pitches for strikes and is likely to return to the Yankees bullpen soon.