Kyle Higashioka Returns to Yankee Stadium

Kyle Higashioka made his way back to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday for the first time after being traded to San Diego, a move that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees.

“In some ways, it feels like I never left,” Higashioka remarked, reflecting on his return while the Rangers played against the Yankees, who won the game 5-2.

At 35, Higashioka was talking about reconnecting with familiar faces, particularly perhaps his former teammate, Aaron Judge. They shared time together in the Yankees’ minor league system and have been on the big league team since 2017, continuing until the recent trade following the 2023 season.

It’s rare for players to witness Judge’s success from close quarters. Higashioka noted, “I think it’s amazing, but honestly, it doesn’t surprise me since I’ve seen his growth firsthand.” He finds it hard to be impressed because, well, it’s just Judge being Judge.

Back in 2022, Higashioka was on the Yankees when Judge had his remarkable season with 62 home runs. However, he first faced Judge as an opponent during a game in San Diego last year.

“He’s one of the best, really. I mean, I don’t know how he keeps improving year after year, even after reaching such heights,” Higashioka commented about Judge’s performance, who contributed with a two-run homer in yesterday’s victory.

Although he wasn’t in the lineup that day, Higashioka had been gearing up to catch Judge during a previous game against the Padres last May. Judge got a single in his first at-bat, but Higashioka was pulled later in the game.

When discussing the challenge of facing a lineup that includes Judge, he said, “It’s tough—really tough. They’re a solid team, but at the end of the day, it’s baseball, and it’s my role to get through these kinds of challenges.”