Aaron Judge will focus on recovering from his toe injury rather than traveling to the All-Star game in Seattle.
The reigning AL MVP tweeted Sunday night that he has officially decided to skip Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic.
“I wanted to take the time to say thank you to all the fans who voted for me as a rookie,” he said. the judge tweeted. “I feel really fortunate to be in this group of high-profile players – it’s such an honor to be among those names. Unfortunately, I will not be making a trip to Seattle. I plan to take this time to heal and rehab so I can get back on the field for my team and all of you. … I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Judge, who broke the American League record-breaking 62 home runs last season, has been sidelined since hitting a wall in right field on June 3.
The Yanks have gone 14-17 since Judge has been out of the lineup, including Sunday’s 7-4 loss to the Cubs.
Nestor Curtis He said he was “completely pain free” after completing his first live batting practice since he was placed on the injured list in early June with rotator cuff inflammation.
Curtis threw 20 pitches to teammate Greg Allen before Sunday’s game.
Al Askari is not eligible to return until the first week of August after the Yankees moved him to the 60-day injured list last week.
“It all seemed so fragile,” Curtis said. “I threw it in the areas I wanted to, so I think my drive is there, and I was able to get off because I think one or two pitches, so it was all right.”
Aaron Boone watched the session and said, “We have a ways to go, but I thought he looked like Nestor.”
According to Boone, the pitch’s plan to come out of the all-star break for the series, which begins Friday in Colorado, is for Carlos Rodon, Clark Schmidt, and All-Star Gerrit Cole. To start the three games.
Cole (9-2, 2.85) said it would be an “honor” to get a starting nod for the American League, the first of his career, and Boone believes he “fully deserves” the rating.
“I think his numbers in the first half speak for themselves,” said Boone.
He is certainly, if nothing else, in that discussion about a shortlist of men who deserve the honor. I think when you include his lifetime body of work, nobody should have any problem starting as one of the best shooters in the game.
Jonathan Loisega (elbow) threw about 10 pitches in the bullpen, his first time on the mound since he was on the injured list in April.
Josh Donaldson appeared to pinch his calf on the first pop-up, but he stayed in the game.
Boone said lefty reliever Andy Peralta was unavailable.
“I know it would mean a lot to Gerrit, and it would mean a lot to us if he was named.”
Yankees fired pitcher Colten Brewer. He will sign with a team in Japan.
