Aaron Judge’s health is already a concern.
The right fielder was kept out of the starting line-up against the Orioles on Wednesday with some Aaron Boone’s general pain in his [left] side”
The manager said it was not an oblique injury and that the Yankees have an off day on Thursday: “I don’t want to take any chances.”
The Yankees will start a series in Tampa Bay on Friday and Judge has sustained leg injuries from playing on the pitch at Tropicana Field.
Judge did not dive for a ball in right field during Tuesday’s win over the Orioles and did not appear to run aggressively on base, although he looked good to the plate, homered for a second consecutive night and hit the ball consistently hard.
Boone said he did not expect Judge to take any tests, although the 28-year-old is expected to undergo treatment and stretching prior to Wednesday’s game, with the option of being used “in a big spot” late.
Judge participated in the last three games of spring practice, two on purpose and a third due to allergies. He had started all five of the Yankees’ previous games, including one on DH, but has dealt with oblique and rib injuries throughout his career.