Yankees place Alex Verdugo on paternity list ahead of Orioles series
BALTIMORE – Alex Verdugo won’t be in the Yankees’ lineup Monday night, as they open a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
The lefty-hitting outfielder was placed on the paternity list, and the Yankees have called up catcher Carlos Narvaez.
As a result, Aaron Judge was tabbed to start Monday's game in left field, the first time the Yankees' captain has played that position in the majors.
Trent Grisham got the start in center field and Juan Soto remained in right field.
Before the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he gave “mild consideration’’ to moving Soto to left field and having Judge play right field, where he’s made 571 career starts.
But the newer dimensions of Camden Yards features a “very spacious’’ left field, and Judge has taken reps as a left fielder in spring training.
“(I) feel like he’s pretty comfortable out there,’’ said Boone, who was not certain as to exactly what date Verdugo might arrive back.
On Saturday at Milwaukee, Verdugo was moved into the cleanup spot by manager Aaron Boone, and the Yanks scored a pair of lopsided wins – 15-3 and 15-5 – against the Brewers.
Over that three-game series, Verdugo was 5-for-15 with two homers and five RBI. In 29 games this year, Verdugo, 27, is batting .267 with an .804 OPS, four home runs and 13 RBI.
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Noted for his receiving skills, Narvaez is batting .211 in 29 games at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with two homers, 12 RBI and a .718 OPS.
“He’s special behind the plate,’’ said Boone of Narvaez, calling him "a super smart player, somebody that plays the game with a lot of confidence, like a veteran who’s been around a long time.’’
Narvaez also provides some flexibility as a backup first baseman, something the Yankees have lacked all season with DJ LeMahieu (right foot) sidelined. Grisham and catcher Austin Wells have been taking grounders at first base in pregame work.
On Monday night, the Yankees' Clarke Schmidt (2-0, 3.55) opposes Grayson Rodriguez (3-1, 4.45), with the Yankees (19-10) holding a one-game lead on Baltimore (17-10) in the first meeting of the AL East's top teams.
“They’re really good, they’re athletic, they hit for power, they’re versatile,’’ Boone said of the O’s, leading the AL with 44 home runs entering Monday.
“We’re certainly aware of how good they are…one of those teams we’re competing with to try and win a division. They’re definitely formidable.’’
Boone also mentioned that he’s waiting to hear back from MLB for further explanation, following umpire Andy Fletcher’s postgame comments Sunday at Milwaukee.
In the umpire’s view, Judge should have been called for interference on a slide in which he raised his arms above his head (the play is not reviewable on replay challenge). It altered the course of a tied game, which ultimately became a 15-5 Yankees win.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees put Alex Verdugo on paternity list before Orioles series
