Aaron Judge did some light work in the batting cage on Tuesday, marking his first hitting session since he went on the injured list with a right flexor strain on Sunday.
Aaron Boone had not spoken to the slugger about his tee and toss work prior to the manager’s pregame press conference. However, Boone said, “I’m assuming it was probably fine,” when asked if Judge experienced any pain.
Boone still expects and hopes to have Judge back after 10 days on the IL but added, “We’ll listen to the body and the trainers and him and see where we’re at.”
Judge is eligible to return on August 5 with the Yankees in Texas. He will only DH at first. If all goes well, he will begin a throwing program sometime between August 8 and 13.
Boone reiterated that Judge’s biggest issue is throwing, but that he’s a little compromised gripping a bat as well.
“It wasn’t something that was too bad,” Boone said.
The Yankees will hope that remains the case as Judge continues with his hitting progression.
The plan is for Judge to keep doing light cage work through the end of the Yankees’ homestand on Thursday. He could ramp up velocity, via a pitching machine, this weekend.
IS ESCARRA IN ‘THE RIGHT SITUATION?’
With Austin Wells entrenched as the Yankees’ starting catcher and Ben Rice getting some chances behind the plate, there haven’t been many opportunities for J.C. Escarra to play. The backstop has only appeared in 39 games this season, and 33 of those came before July. Yet the Yankees haven’t sent the optionable catcher to Triple-A.
A feel-good, early-season story, Escarra has had some success in his limited opportunities, producing five doubles, two homers and 10 RBI with his left-handed swing. More notable is that he is baseball’s best framer, making him an intriguing trade chip with the July 31 deadline just days away.
With that in mind, Boone’s comments about Escarra were interesting on Tuesday.
“J.C. hasn’t got that run,” Boone said while discussing all three of the Yankees’ receivers. “I believe that if he was in the right situation, I really think he could be an everyday catcher, both defensively and offensively.”
With the Yankees in need of pitching — controllable relievers would be especially helpful — Escarra could be worth more than some would think, as the 29-year-old rookie is pre-arbitration and plays a position that isn’t all that strong across the sport. The Yankees, meanwhile, have a good reputation for developing catchers.
Back in June, Tanner Swanson, the Yankees’ director of catching, acknowledged that questions over Escarra’s future were “fair speculation.”
RYNO REFLECTIONS
The baseball world lost a Hall of Famer on Monday, as Ryne Sandberg died following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 65.
A Cubs legend and one of the best second basemen of all-time, Sandberg debuted with the Phillies in 1981. Boone’s dad, Bob, played in Philadelphia that year, so the Yankees skipper first got to know Sandberg as a prospect before following his career in Chicago. Boone even had Sandberg’s Nike poster on his wall as a kid.
“Just a really gracious, really great guy gone too early that obviously had an amazing career,” said Boone, who also crossed paths with Sandberg when the former worked at ESPN and the latter managed the Phillies. “So a sad day for our sport, especially for the Cubs and what he meant to that franchise. Certainly, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family the last couple days.”
INJURY UPDATES
With Luis Gil (lat) making his final rehab start on Tuesday — he was expected to throw 75 pitches at Triple-A — Boone said the plan is for him to make his season debut as a starter Sunday in Miami.
Mark Leiter Jr. (fractured leg) is scheduled to throw live batting practice this Thursday. If that goes well, he could appear in a minor league rehab game over the weekend. The Yankees hope to have him rejoin their battered bullpen in Texas next week.
Fernando Cruz (oblique) said that he will throw his first bullpen session since getting hurt on Friday. He’s still a little while away from returning, though.
Finally, hot-hitting prospect Spencer Jones (back spasms) returned to the lineup at Triple-A on Tuesday.
Originally Published:
