BOSTON — Aaron Judge was not within the lineup Thursday evening, as a result of tightness in his calf muscle tissue. The slugger, nonetheless, thinks he might be again on Friday.
“It’s just precautionary stuff; been feeling it for a week or so,” Judge mentioned after the Yankees’ 6-5 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. “Just taking the chance to take a day and make sure everything’s all right; make sure it’s nothing more than one day so we can keep rolling.”
Judge confirmed it was one thing that he has been managing the previous few days, however downplayed the severity of the problem. He emphasised that supervisor Aaron Boone was being cautious and profiting from the massive lead the Yankees maintain within the American League East with the perfect report in baseball.
“I think it’s more Boonie being precautious with things, especially with the lead we have right now in the division, now this team is rolling, how guys have been swinging the bat,” Judge mentioned. “It’s better taking one day now than miss two weeks down the road”
The Yankees, who rolled into Fenway with a 14-game lead on the Red Sox and Rays within the American League East, have been additionally with out Anthony Rizzo, who missed his third straight recreation with what he mentioned was a again spasm.
Judge didn’t begin Sunday’s recreation in Cleveland, pinch hitting within the high of the ninth of a loss to the Guardians. The Yankees had Monday as a scheduled off day, however Judge performed each video games in Pittsburgh. He hit his thirtieth residence run of the season—and profession third grand slam—in Wednesday evening’s rain-delayed 16-0 rout of the Pirates.
Boone mentioned this was a “wear and tear,” sort of problem that comes because the gamers get into the center of the season. The Yankees simply handed the midway mark of the 162-game season on Wednesday evening.
“I think it’s been more the last couple of days where he just grinded through a lot this half,” Boone mentioned. “I know when you start to get that tightness down there that it’s not something that I want to become a bigger issue.”
The Yankees have been paced Thursday by Josh Donaldson (grand slam) and Aaron Hicks (solo shot) in opposition to the Red Sox.
“That’s what it’s gonna take down the stretch, it’s gonna take everybody, every single guy on this team,” Judge mentioned. “Getting a big win like this Fenway, with all our guys, shows just how deep this team is.”
Judge has not been on the injured record for a season and a half, which is big for him as he approaches free company. He’s piled up spectacular numbers this season, that are going to end in extra {dollars} on the contract he indicators ultimately.
The 30-year outdated leads the majors together with his 30 homers and is slashing .287/.366/.627 with a .993 OPS. He is second within the huge leagues in slugging share and third in OPS.
He has put himself in place to be thought of the American League’s Most Valuable Player.
If he does win that award, the Yankees, who narrowly averted arbitration with him, should pay him a bonus per that contract they simply agreed on final week.
“Forgetting betting on himself or not. Obviously, what he’s doing is really impressive and he’s obviously extremely talented,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman mentioned. “He’s been a big performer for years now and obviously the season he’s having has been remarkable. So obviously, no one wants him to win the MVP more than we do.”
But Judge did wager on himself. He was able to struggle it out in an arbitration listening to for this season, earlier than the group break up the distinction between proposals of $4 million to pay him $19 million with incentives this 12 months.
He additionally turned down an eight-year deal that will have been value $230 million, together with 2022, proper earlier than Opening Day. The yearly wage of $30.5 would have made him the highest-paid place participant per 12 months (or annual common worth) in Yankee historical past and the second-highest on the group behind Gerrit Cole. It would have given him the second-highest AAV of an outfielder within the recreation, behind solely Mike Trout.
Cashman got here out and laid naked the small print of the contract Judge turned down on Opening Day, irritating the participant. So, Thursday, Cashman reiterated what managing companion Hal Steinbrenner mentioned on Wednesday about negotiating with Judge about an extension. Both sides have mentioned they’d not touch upon whether or not the edges are speaking or not repeatedly.
“We also made a commitment that whatever transpires from that point on will stay quiet and we’ll concentrate on the season,” Cashman mentioned. “That doesn’t mean conversations will take place doesn’t mean conversations won’t take place. It just means I am not gonna comment. So just restating the same position.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com