Aaron Judge’s health is already a concern.
The right-hander stayed out of the starting line-up on Wednesday against the Orioles with what Aaron Boone called “general pain in his [left] side ”
The manager said it was not an oblique injury and the Yankees had a day off on Thursday: “I don’t want to take any chances.”
The Yankees begin a series in Tampa Bay on Friday and the judge has suffered leg injuries from playing on the turf at Tropicana Field.
The referee did not dive a ball into the right field in Tuesday’s victory over the Orioles and did not appear to run aggressively at the bases, although he looked good on the plate, getting a second night in a row and hitting the ball hard. .
Boone said he did not expect the judge to testify, although the 28-year-old is expected to undergo treatment and stretching before Wednesday’s game, with the possibility of being used late “in an important place.”
Judge held the last three spring training games, two for design and a third for allergies. He had started the Yankees ’previous five games, including one in DH, but has struggled with oblique and rib injuries throughout his career.