Yankees slugger Aaron Judge playing more sim games in Tampa
NEW YORK — After taking cuts in a simulated game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Aaron Judge is doing more of the same in Florida.
The reigning MVP, recovering from a torn ligament in his right big toe, played five simulated innings in Tampa on Tuesday, according to Aaron Boone. Judge hit, ran the bases and played the field, though the manager said the slugger didn’t see any action on defense. Boone had yet to receive a final report on Judge’s day when he spoke to reporters Tuesday, but he assumed it went well and expected Judge to play in another sim game with “maybe a little more volume” on Wednesday.
Boone added that he doesn’t know if Judge will require a rehab assignment once he’s ready for actual games. “Everything’s in play,” the skipper said before the start of the Subway Series, but the current focus is on getting Judge as many at-bats as possible while he remains on a “day-to-day” schedule.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Boone said when asked if Judge, out since June 3, could return this weekend in Baltimore. However, the Yankees have avoided setting a timeline for Judge and ruling out various possibilities throughout his rehab.
Boone foresees Judge having to tolerate some pain once he returns, something the player and team have said repeatedly. Boone didn’t know if Judge has run the bases at full speed yet, but he does hope to have him as an option in the outfield once he’s back.
“He’ll let us know what he can and can’t handle,” Boone said. “He’s always been honest about that. I think the one thing he’s learned in the last couple years is he’s done a really good job of being able to play through things. Sometimes minor things, nagging things here and there. He’s learned to play at a really high level through those things. And this is something that he knew he couldn’t.
“When he’s able to, I’m sure he’ll be able to do it. But if it’s to a point where he can’t handle it, then I don’t think even he would.”
Cortes would make six
After throwing 42 pitches in his first rehab start, Nestor Cortes (rotator cuff) is expected to make another minor league appearance on Friday, per Boone. The manager wasn’t sure which affiliate Cortes is going to throw for.
Cortes is still a few rehab games away from being activated, but the start of his assignment makes one wonder about the Yankees’ rotation. Should everyone else remain active, Cortes would give the Yankees six starters once he returns. Could the Yankees incorporate a six-man rotation?
“I don’t really envision that necessarily,” Boone said.
Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón aren’t going anywhere, while Luis Severino has strung together two solid starts following prolonged struggles. Domingo Germán and Clarke Schmidt have had varying levels of success this year, with Schmidt being the much more consistent pitcher since mid-May. Both have bullpen experience, while Schmidt still has a minor league option available, per FanGraphs.
The latest on Loáisiga
Jonathan Loáisiga (bone spur), who pitched to Judge on Sunday, will also participate in Wednesday’s sim game in Tampa, per Boone. He is expected to start a rehab assignment this weekend.
