Yankees Notebook: Aaron Judge out of the starting lineup in series opener vs. Orioles
BALTIMORE — After playing 13 straight games, Aaron Judge was out of the starting lineup for Monday night’s series opener against the Orioles at Camden Yards. It is a preventative maintenance day, according to Aaron Boone.
”I was kind of targeting one day on this trip. I considered the [Sunday] day game [in Chicago] and he kind of powered through that. …” the Yankees manager said. “Just kind of decided this was a good day.”
He explained that between the day game, then traveling to Baltimore for a night game that Judge would get a day and a half to rest.
Judge is leading the majors with 12 home runs and is slashing a ridiculous .296/.369/.632 with a 194 OPS+.
This is part of the workload management that the Yankees hope will not only keep Judge healthy this season, but Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of their roster.
Considering they are in the middle of playing 23 games in 22 days — their next scheduled off day isn’t until May 30 — Boone is keeping an eye out to give most of his lineup a day here and there.
“I think they can all use one [as] we’re going through this stretch,” Boone said. “Judge started this stretch by playing in the doubleheader, so I mean, anytime we do a stretch [like this], I think they can use [the off day]. I think it’s beneficial and serves them well moving forward.”
RIZZO GRINDING
Anthony Rizzo began the season with a bang, but his power numbers have stalled in the last two weeks. The first baseman is hitting .143/.234/.214 with a .448 OPS over his last 13 games. He has not hit a home run since April 29 in Kansas City.
“I actually feel like the last two days have been a little bit better, and even yesterday where he just missed a couple balls. I remember at home, he had a ball on one of those windy days to center that he didn’t get rewarded for,” Boone said. “So he’s just missed some balls and I do feel like the last couple of days he’s been getting a better swing off.
“For about a week leading up to that, I felt like he was a little off and miss-hitting some balls just enough. But I do feel like he’s coming in the last day or two.”
Overall, Rizzo’s lefty bat has been a big contributor to the Yankees lineup this season. Rizzo is hitting .225/.340/.508 with nine home runs, an .849 OPS and 151 OPS+.
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