TAMPA, Fla. _ Aaron Boone is still holding out hope that Aaron Judge will be in his lineup on Opening Day _ even after Brian Cashman said it would be unlikely at this point. The Yankees manager said that he will not rule out Judge until they know what is ailing his right shoulder or pectoral area.
"I just, I don't know. I mean, I think we're gonna sit here and speculate. I think it's premature," Boone said after the Yankees' 9-1 win over the Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "I understand you want the answer on it but, you know, the bottom line is (he's) been doing better the last few days so until we get to the bottom of what exactly is going on. If anything, then we'll have a better idea."
Boone has been encouraged throughout this process that Judge is close to returning to baseball activities. Tuesday, however, the slugger was not active. Instead, Judge had two more medical tests and by early evening, the Yankees were not revealing the results.
"I think most of the tests are being finished up today," Boone said.
Earlier, before the game, Cashman has said it would be hard with just three-and-a-half weeks left in spring training to expect Judge to be ready for the March 26 opener in Baltimore.
"I don't see it right now," the GM said. "It's more likely than not, I don't see him ready by Opening Day, because of the time frame."
Boone said that players can ramp up at different paces.
"I think it depends year in, year out, you know ... there were years where I felt great and it came kind of quick. There were other times where it took all the spring training and kind of searching for it," Boone said. "You know, especially as a hitter. Those are things that can kind of come and go a little bit.
"As far as, then it's building up getting the reps of building up where you're playing nine innings back to back, and getting your body used to handling that," Boone continued. "That's the thing that becomes the biggest challenge."
Judge has not swung on the field yet this spring. He felt shoulder discomfort and was sent to New York when he first started swinging in January. He was shut down after an MRI and just began ramping up again when he felt the discomfort behind his right pectoral muscle.
While Aaron Boone said Sunday it was the same issue, Cashman made clear on Tuesday the discomfort has moved.
"Before it was the shoulder now it's moved on down towards the pec," Cashman said. "So it's different."
First the Yankees have to diagnose what is happening with Judge and then figure out how to get him ready. With 23 days until Opening Day, the deadline for him to get back on the field is closing quickly.
