TAMPA, Fla. — Aaron Judge got an RBI double in his first at-bat in Wednesday night’s game against Pittsburgh after taking a break for nine days with an abdominal injury, and fellow New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit three home runs with eight RBIs in a 12-0 victory over the Pirates.
Judge hadn’t played since March 10, when he struck out in both at-bats against Atlanta. He hit a 106.4 mph hit to right center in the first inning that brought in Juan Soto. Judge scored when Stanton hit a 455-foot home run that cleared the batter’s eye in straightaway center field, the first of his three home runs against left-hander Marco Gonzales.
“I’m feeling good,” Judge said. “Just thrilled to get back in there and get a couple of at-bats, a couple swings and a couple tough balls in the field.”
Judge had an eight-pitch walk in the second and Stanton followed with a 453-foot grand slam. Stanton added a solo home run in the fourth, a 426-foot solo drive to center, and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
“It is spring, but yeah, I haven’t hit three before. so it’s cool,” Stanton said. “It’s going to be erased in about a week.”
Judge called the home runs impressive.
“I didn’t give him enough credit, I was tagging up on a couple of them.,” Judge said with a smile. “He got a little mad at me about that, so I won’t do that again. I’ll make sure I’m jogging.”
A slimmed-down Stanton has battled injuries and has not played a full season since 2018, the first year after New York acquired him from Miami. He missed 266 of 708 games in the past five seasons.
“I feel he’s looked pretty good all spring even from the start,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like he’s been in control of his at bats, and tonight he was really precise and when he’s like that he’s pretty scary.”
Judge played four innings in center field, as planned, and made a nice catch moving back toward the fence on Jack Suwinski’s fourth-inning hit. He was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the fourth.
Judge started feeling discomfort with his abdomen during his swing’s follow-through a couple weeks ago.
“Excited to get him going,” Boone said.
Judge is scheduled to play three more times in the Yankees’ last five spring training games in Florida.
Judge missed 42 games last season with a torn ligament in his right big toe, an injury sustained when he ran into Dodger Stadium’s right-field fence on June 3. He has said the toe is feeling great.
Third baseman DJ LeMahieu, who fouled a ball hard off his right foot on Saturday, remained out of the lineup with a bone bruise.
“Trying to get the swelling out first and foremost, and doing as much as I can,” LeMahieu said. “I can already tell a difference in three or four days. A lot of improvements.”
LeMahieu said the foot is still sore when he walks, and is undergoing daily treatment. He could resume swinging a bat in a couple days and is hopeful of being ready for the opener on March 28 at Houston.
“I’ve had a good spring training,” LeMahieu said. “I’ve had plenty of at-bats. I’m pretty much ready already, so that’s definitely my goal.
Boone stated that the next few days will determine if LeMahieu will play against the Astros. He also mentioned that the infielder will not be rushed.
Boone said, "He won't try to play through this. The good news is it's just a bruise, so we'll give it time to heal. Whether he's back on the first day or later, we'll take it step by step. He's in a good position after his offseason work, and we don't want to risk anything."
LeMahieu's performance in the past couple of seasons was affected by an injury to his right toe.
LeMahieu said, "I really don't want to do anything foolish. That's been made very clear to me."
If LeMahieu can't play at the beginning of the season, Boone said Alex Verdugo will be the leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers, and Gleyber Torres will play against left-handed starters. Oswald Cabrera could also play at third base.
New York learned last week that their top pitcher, Gerrit Cole, won't be throwing for three to four weeks due to nerve irritation and swelling in his throwing elbow. He will need a period similar to spring training after he resumes throwing and is not expected back until at least late May.
