Yankees set to test Aaron Judge in left field as time is running out

Following a 10-day hiatus, Yankees captain Aaron Judge made his return to the field, feeling “really good,” as per manager Aaron Boone’s assessment. With his health no longer a concern, the New York Yankees have a unique mission planned for him on Friday: a foray into the left field position.

Aaron Judge, typically seen patrolling the expansive center field territory so far, will get a taste of left field duties during Friday’s exhibition game against the New York Mets. This strategic move is designed to enhance his versatility and prepare him for potential situations during the regular season where his adaptability could prove crucial.

Boone, speaking before Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, revealed his plan to integrate Aaron Judge into the left field position at least once during the exhibition schedule. From a strategic standpoint, this allows the Yankees to have Aaron Judge available as an option if starting outfielder Trent Grisham requires a late-game substitution or does not start, and fellow outfielder Alex Verdugo is also unavailable.

This is not the first time the Yankees have considered his defensive flexibility. During last year’s spring training, they experimented with Aaron Judge in left field, anticipating the possibility of Giancarlo Stanton occasionally starting in right field at Yankee Stadium during the regular season.

While an early-season injury to Stanton ultimately derailed the initial plan to shift Aaron Judge to left field, the potential scenario could resurface this year during Verdugo’s off days or late-game situations where Grisham replaces him defensively in center field. By testing the captain in left field now, the Yankees are proactively preparing for various defensive alignments and contingencies that may arise throughout the upcoming campaign.

Yankees’ pitching conundrum: Gil or Warren?

The competition for the coveted fifth spot in the New York Yankees’ starting rotation intensifies on Friday as Luis Gil takes the mound against the New York Mets. Following Gil’s outing, Will Warren is also scheduled to make a start, giving both pitchers a final opportunity to impress the team’s decision-makers before the conclusion of spring training.

However, the Yankees are grappling with a decision that extends beyond the immediate determination of who will occupy the fifth starter role on Opening Day. They are also contemplating a long-term question regarding Gil’s development path. While he is currently slotted as a starter, there have been discussions about potentially transitioning him to a “Michael King” role in the bullpen, where he would serve as a multi-inning reliever.

This potential shift in Gil’s role stems from his limited pitching experience over the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are weighing the benefits of managing his innings in the bullpen versus keeping him solely focused on starting. However, manager Aaron Boone has been clear that this does not diminish the team’s confidence in Gil’s ability to crack the starting rotation at the beginning of the season.

“He’s ready to go either way,” Boone declared, highlighting Gil’s versatility and adaptability. Ultimately, the Yankees need to decide which path best suits Gil’s development and bolsters their pitching staff for the long haul.

LeMahieu steps up recovery with increased workload

DJ LeMahieu took a positive stride towards recovering from a bone bruise on his right foot on Thursday. The New York Yankees infielder participated in agility drills and light running sessions outdoors at Steinbrenner Field as part of his rehabilitation program.

This outdoor training session marked a significant milestone for LeMahieu, as it was his first time engaging in such activities since fouling a ball off his foot last Saturday. Prior to this, he had been restricted to similar workouts conducted indoors.

While the Yankees remain uncertain about LeMahieu’s availability for the highly anticipated Opening Day matchup, his increased activity level is an encouraging sign. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the possibility that LeMahieu might miss the season opener, suggesting a decision on his status might be made closer to the start of the regular season. Boone indicated that LeMahieu’s availability for the initial games would be a factor in the Yankees’ upcoming roster decisions.

Cabrera pushes for roster chances

Oswaldo Cabrera is mounting a compelling case for securing a spot on the New York Yankees’ roster with a remarkable display of defensive versatility and offensive growth. In Thursday’s exhibition game, Cabrera showcased his adaptability by initiating the contest in right field before seamlessly transitioning to first base in the sixth inning. This ability to excel at multiple positions significantly enhances his chances of cracking the Yankees’ final roster for the upcoming season.

In addition to his defensive contributions, Cabrera has also shown encouraging signs at the plate recently. He collected both a single and a walk against veteran pitcher Charlie Morton on Thursday, demonstrating his improved hitting ability and continued offensive development.

Cabrera himself acknowledged that some might underestimate the complexity of playing first base, mistaking it for a less demanding position. However, his on-field experience has convinced him otherwise. He emphasized the importance of skill and finesse required to excel at first base, a sentiment that might surprise those who view it as a simpler defensive role compared to other positions on the diamond.

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