Yankees: Boone drops major updates on Aaron Judge’s return and Scott Effross’ injury timeline

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As the New York Yankees continue Spring Training, manager Aaron Boone shared significant updates ahead of their matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. Boone addressed Aaron Judge’s debut in the Grapefruit League and provided an unfortunate injury update on reliever Scott Effross.

Aaron Judge set for Spring Training debut on Saturday

Yankees fans can mark their calendars—Aaron Judge will make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday, March 1, against the Houston Astros at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Boone confirmed the news while speaking with reporters on Thursday, as first reported by the New York Post.

Judge, the reigning American League MVP, has been healthy throughout camp, but the Yankees opted for a cautious approach to manage his workload after an intense 2024 season. The slugger played a combined 172 games between the regular season and postseason, helping lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009.

The 32-year-old outfielder is expected to take his usual spot in right field and bat second in the lineup. While the official lineup for Saturday’s game has not been released, there is speculation that Judge could take the field alongside potential new teammates, such as Paul Goldschmidt or Cody Bellinger. If Judge remains healthy heading into Opening Day, he could be poised for another dominant season, possibly adding a third MVP award to his resume.

Boone emphasized that Judge’s progression has been exactly what the Yankees expected coming into camp.

“He’s been great,” Boone said. “We’ve just wanted to be mindful of getting him ready the right way. But he looks fantastic, and I know he’s excited to get into game action.”

Judge has continued his usual routine in batting practice and fielding drills, showing no signs of physical setbacks.

“He’s moving really well out there,” Boone added. “It’s been a good camp for him so far.”

Scott Effross faces extended recovery

While the news on Judge is promising, the same cannot be said for Scott Effross. The Yankees reliever, who has battled multiple injuries since joining the team in 2022, suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during his first Spring Training outing earlier this week. The injury, which was confirmed following medical testing, typically requires a recovery timeline of four to eight weeks. However, Boone suggested that Effross’ return to game action could take closer to three months.

“It’s going to be some time,” Boone said ahead of Thursday’s game against the Phillies.

Effross, 31, exited Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers after throwing just one pitch in the eighth inning. This latest setback adds to a series of major injuries that have plagued his tenure with the Yankees.

After being acquired from the Chicago Cubs midway through his standout rookie season in 2022, Effross suffered a torn UCL, leading to Tommy John surgery and sidelining him for the entire 2023 season. In December 2023, his comeback attempt was halted again due to lower back surgery. He made a brief return to the big leagues last September, appearing in three games and allowing two runs over 3.1 innings.

Now, his push for an Opening Day bullpen spot has been derailed yet again.

“He’s pretty bummed about it with all the stuff he’s gone through,” Boone admitted. “But at the end of the day, it’s a hamstring. He’ll get through it. He should be able to keep his arm going to some degree, and hopefully, in the long haul, it won’t trip him up too much.”

Boone also noted that Effross received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on Thursday to aid in his recovery.

“Hopefully that helps speed things up a little bit, but we’ll see how he progresses,” Boone said. “He’s been through a lot, and it’s tough to see him go through this again, but he’s got the right mindset.”

Additional Yankees Updates

Meanwhile, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton remains away from the team due to personal reasons. Boone clarified that his absence is unrelated to an injury and expressed optimism that Stanton will return soon. The Yankees are also evaluating their bullpen depth in light of Effross’ injury, with Boone stating that several arms are competing for a spot.

“We have some guys who have looked really good so far,” Boone said. “It’s unfortunate for Scotty, but we have to keep moving forward.”

With Opening Day approaching, the Yankees will continue monitoring Judge’s progression while seeking bullpen reinforcements to cover for Effross’ absence. Stay tuned for more updates as the Bronx Bombers continue Spring Training.

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