After preparing for each possibility over the past two spring training sessions, Aaron Judge finally started in left field for the first time in his career on Monday.
With left fielder Alex Verdugo on the paternity list, Judge was forced to play in the Yankees’ 2-0 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards, sliding in from his usual center field position. Filled the hole.
Judge wasn’t tested much in his first action in left field, catching two fly balls that were hit to him.
“I thought he moved well and I thought he responded really well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “There didn’t seem to be any problems.”
Trent Grisham started in center field, and Juan Soto remained in right field.
Boone said he had “mildly considered” starting Soto in left field (he started 154 games for the Padres last season), but decided to use him now that he’s settled on left field.
“It feels great when I’m with a guy.” [Grisham] You have a Gold Glove guy on your left who has been playing top center field for quite some time,” Judge said.
When the Yankees traded Soto, Verdugo, and Grisham during the offseason, Judge was converted from his regular right fielder to center fielder.
But Boone also told Judge that he might be used in left field, and the captain agreed.
“That really embodies the person Aaron is,” Boone said. “Anyone who had the opportunity to play alongside him, whether it was for a few weeks or years, would understand what a great teammate he was and what a selfless player he was. . Whatever I put on his plate, he was like, “Okay, okay.” … We’re lucky to have teammates like that, the star players, the face of the team. ”
In the 8th inning, with runners on the corners and two outs, Anthony Volpe grounded out, which allowed for a guaranteed score.
“It’s right in the middle of everything, which hop you go to, whether you go second or first,” Volpe said. “We definitely have to be more decisive.”
While Verdugo returned to Arizona to welcome his second child, the Yankees called up catcher Carlos Narvaez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to earn a roster spot.
The Yankees had limited options at the 40-man position — the only other healthy option was outfielder Everson Pereira — but the addition of Narváez leaves them with three catchers until Verdugo returns. This further increased flexibility.
“at first, [Narvaez] He’s a really good catcher,” Boone said. “He’s special behind the plate. He’s been playing first base there and DH a little bit. He’s good with the bat, he’s got power. So here we are without Dugie. It’s like he can cover us for a few days. We had him play first base to give us some flexibility in case he gets up here.
“We’re excited to have a very smart player and a player who plays between the lines with the confidence of a long-time veteran.”
Anthony Rizzo was the American League Player of the Week on Monday with a .407 batting average (11 hits for 27), a 1.355 OPS, four home runs (including his 300th career total on Sunday), seven RBIs, two doubles and one walk. Selected as a player. .
