Judge will not play 1B upon return: Yankees will use DH; Stanton to the outfield

Yankees Rule Out Aaron Judge at First Base

The New York Yankees are not considering the possibility of Aaron Judge playing first base when he returns from the injured list, according to a source. The two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be designated as a hitter until he is fully recovered to throw from the outfield. Yankees manager Aaron Boone bases his plan on the expectation that Judge will return after a minimum 10-day absence. Judge is expected to resume throwing in 10 to 14 days and rejoin the outfield.

Aaron Judge, who was placed on the injured list for a right flexor strain, will be the Yankees’ designated hitter until he is cleared to throw and return to the outfield.Judge, 33, played first base in high school and has practiced at that position during spring training in recent years. Playing first base would be less demanding on his arm, as the same player stated that “he couldn’t throw more than 60 feet.” However, Judge has never played in that position as a professional, and the Yankees do not plan to ask their star to make that difficult transition mid-season, although it could be something to consider in the future. With Judge scheduled to return as designated hitter, Boone announced that Giancarlo Stanton will begin training in the outfield this week to be an option there. Stanton hasn’t played in the outfield since 2023. Boone indicated that Stanton’s role as designated hitter impacted the team’s decision to place Judge on the injured list, with the aim of having him focus on recovering from his forearm strain and thus being able to return to the outfield. This instead of limiting him to designated hitter.

There’s a feeling that if he were just hitting as a designated hitter now, he probably wouldn’t compromise his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Obviously, pitching would. That said, there’s a grip component and probably, obviously, not like the defensive side, but probably affecting him a little bit offensively as well.

Aaron Boone

Stanton began the season on the injured list due to tendinitis in both elbows, and did not debut until June 16. The 35-year-old hitter has expressed that he will have to manage the pain this season after opting not to undergo surgery. Boone, however, does not currently perceive that this prevents Stanton from playing in the outfield. Stanton has been one of the Yankees’ best hitters since his return, batting .277, with seven home runs and an OPS of .890 in 28 games. Boone responded negatively when asked if he was concerned about Stanton’s elbows playing in the outfield. “We’ll see how it goes. He’ll start training out there this week a little bit. Just to be an option if and when Aaron comes back and how long he has to be a designated hitter until he gets to the outfield. So, if things come up, we’ll adjust. But I’m not anticipating it.” With Judge on the injured list, the Yankees’ primary outfield configuration will feature Jasson Domínguez in left field, Trent Grisham in center, and Cody Bellinger replacing Judge in right. Boone reported that Amed Rosario, a utility player acquired from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, will play in the outfield corners in addition to third and second base. Due to Rosario’s strong performance against left-handed pitchers this season, the Yankees could use him against lefties at third base to give Ryan McMahon, the other recent Yankees acquisition, a rest, and in the outfield over Domínguez, a switch-hitter with a .575 OPS in 96 plate appearances batting right-handed against left-handed pitchers.