BALTIMORE – After playing 13 straight games, Aaron Judge dropped out of the starting lineup for Monday night’s series opener against the Orioles at Camden Yards. According to Aaron Boone, it’s a preventive maintenance day.
“I was aiming one day on this trip. I considered [Sunday] game of the day [in Chicago] And it operates that way. …” said the Yankees manager. “Just kind of decided it was a good day.”
He explained that between day games, then traveling to Baltimore for night games that the judge would get a day and a half to rest.
Judge is leading the Major with 12 home runs and reducing a ridiculous .296/.369/.632 with 194 OPS+.
It’s part of the workload management that the Yankees hope will keep not only the judges healthy this season, but Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of his roster.
Given that they are in the middle of playing 23 games over 22 days – their next scheduled day is not until May 30 – Boone is eyeing to give most of his lineup a day around.
“I think they could all use one” [as] We’re going through this stretch,” Boone said. “The judge started this stretch by playing in a doubleheader, so I mean, whenever we stretch [like this]i think they can use [the off day], I think it is beneficial and serves them well going forward. ,
rizzo grind
Anthony Rizzo started the season with a bang, but his power numbers have stalled over the past two weeks. The first baseman is hitting .143/.234/.214 with .448 OPS in his last 13 matches. He hasn’t hit a home run in Kansas City since April 29.
“I really feel like the last two days have been a little bit better, and even yesterday where he missed just a couple balls. I remember at home, he had a ball on those windy days, for which he Wasn’t rewarded,” Boone said. “So he’s missed a few balls and I think he’s been getting better swing for the past few days.
“For about a week, I thought he was a little off and miss-hitting a few balls was enough. But I feel like he’s coming in the last day or two.”
Overall, Rizzo’s left bat has been a major contributor to the Yankees lineup this season. Rizzo is hitting .225/.340/.508 with nine home runs, .849 OPS and 151 OPS+.
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