After preparing for the possibility in each of the last two spring practices, Aaron Judge finally started in left field Monday for the first time in his career.
With left fielder Alex Verdugo landing on the paternity list, Judge moved from his usual spot in center to replace him in the Yankees’ 2-0 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Judge wasn’t tested much in his first action in left field, but he caught both flyballs thrown his way.
“I thought he moved well, I thought he reacted really well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “There didn’t seem to be any problems.”
Trent Grisham got the start in center field while Juan Soto remained in right field.
Boone said he had “slightly considered” using Soto in left field — where he started 154 games last season for the Padres — but decided to keep him now that he’s settled there.
“It’s great to have a guy (Grisham) on your left with a Gold Glove who’s been playing center for quite a long time,” Judge said.
When the Yankees traded for Soto, Verdugo and Grisham in the offseason, it moved Judge from an everyday right fielder to a center fielder.
But Boone also told Judge there might be times he uses him in left field, which was good for the captain.
“It really embodies who Aaron is,” Boone said. “Anyone who has had the opportunity to play alongside him, whether for weeks or years, realizes what an incredible teammate he is and how selfless he is. Everything I’ve ever put on his plate, he said to me, “Yeah, I got you.”… You’re lucky to have your star player, the face of your team, he’s that kind of teammate.
With runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth inning, Anthony Volpe threw a ground ball that allowed an insurance run to score.
“Just between everything — what a jump, whether it’s going to second or first,” Volpe said. “We definitely need to be more decisive.”
While Verdugo was back in Arizona to welcome his second child, the Yankees called up catcher Carlos Narvaez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his place on the team.
The Yankees were limited in their 40-position player options — the only other healthy choice was outfielder Everson Pereira — but the addition of Narvaez gave them additional flexibility with three catchers until Verdugo returned.
“First of all, (Narvaez) is a very good receiver,” Boone said. “He’s special behind the plate. He plays first base there and does a little DH. Handles the bat well, there’s some power in there. So that kind of covers us here for a few days without Dugie. We played him at first base just to keep that in the mix to give him some flexibility when he gets here.
“I’m excited to bring in a super smart player and someone who plays between the lines with a lot of confidence, like a veteran who’s been around for a long time.”
Anthony Rizzo was named American League Player of the Week on Monday after hitting .407 (11-for-27) with a 1.355 OPS, four home runs – including the 300th of his career on Sunday – seven RBIs, two doubles and a walk. balls. .
New York Post
