Yankees Aaron Judge

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NEW YORK -- Miguel Andújar’s willingness to embrace the challenge of playing the outfield has impressed the Yankees’ coaching staff, but they also recognize that it continues to be a work in progress.
Andújar encountered a learning moment in the Yankees’ 6-3 victory over the Red Sox on Monday evening, as he turned the wrong way while attempting to catch Alex Verdugo’s sixth-inning drive to left field. The ball bounced for a run-scoring ground-rule double.
“It was probably the toughest play I've encountered out there in left field Aaron Judge Jersey, especially from a left-handed batter,” Andújar said through a translator. “But you learn from it and you make the adjustments necessary for the next play.”
After the play, Andújar huddled with outfield coach Reggie Willits on the Yankees’ bench. According to Andújar, Willits said that the slicing liner from the left-handed Verdugo would have been difficult even for a veteran left fielder, an assessment that manager Aaron Boone echoed.
“It was a very difficult play,” Boone said. “Verdugo hit the ball well, that slicing line drive right over a left fielder’s head. That's a tough play for experienced guys. Miggy got turned around the wrong way and didn't quite recover well enough.”The Yankees continue to believe that Andújar will be able to find at-bats in the outfield corners, as well as at third base. He was in Tuesday’s lineup as the designated hitter.
Andújar, 25, produced one hit in his first 14 at-bats before being optioned to the Yankees’ Moosic, Pa., alternate training site on Aug. 6. Andújar said that he was surprised by the demotion but aimed to keep a positive attitude during his time there.
“It has been tough finding that consistency,” Andújar said. “You understand that you still have a responsibility to work hard, prepare yourself as best as possible and understand that the opportunity will be there.”
New look, same Luke
Luke Voit was “pretty fired up” to learn that he would serve as the leadoff hitter in Tuesday’s series opener against the Rays, according to Boone, who said that he first approached Voit with the possibility when the club was dealing with numerous injuries last season Alex Rodriguez Jersey.“The Rays are very good at matching up and creating some really good lanes for some of their heavy split on one side [relievers],” Boone said. “I’m trying to eliminate long righty or long lefty lanes, just trying to create a little bit of balance.”
Voit homered twice in Monday’s victory and entered play on Tuesday riding a seven-game hitting streak.
Green lighted
Fernando Tatis Jr. had Major League clubhouses buzzing on Tuesday about the game’s so-called “unwritten rules” after the young Padres star hit a grand slam on a 3-0 pitch in a lopsided victory over the Rangers on Monday night.
Count Gerrit Cole among the chorus of voices who saw no issue with Tatis Jr.’s big swing.“It's pretty simple for me,” Cole said. “It's pretty hard to hit a grand slam. Whatever count you want to try to hit one, then go for it.”
Boone said that he considers the debate about not trying to score as many runs as possible to be “outdated,” noting the increased importance and usage of bullpens in the modern game. By scoring more runs, a team may be able to avoid using higher-leverage relievers Aroldis Chapman Jersey, thus making them available in a closer game the next day.
“Just a few nights ago, we were having a debate about whether we should still try and steal a base if we're up five or six [runs],” Boone said. “I do believe there's a sportsmanship etiquette in certain situations that you want to avoid disrespecting [opponents]. … But I do think a lot of it is outdated and really silly.”
Bombers bits
The Yankees announced that they signed infielder Jordy Mercer to a Minor League contract, adding him to their 60-man roster on Aug. 14 and assigning him to their alternate training site. Mercer, 33, was designated for assignment by the Tigers and elected free agency on Aug. 6.
Right-hander Nick Nelson was recalled from the alternate training site prior to Tuesday’s game. He replaces right-hander Ben Heller, who was optioned after Monday’s game. Boone said that the Yankees wanted a pitcher with multi-inning capability after right-hander Michael King pitched three innings on Monday.
Catcher Wynston Sawyer has been transferred to the Yankees’ 60-man roster. He is assigned to the alternate site.
This date in Yankees history
Aug. 18, 1983: The "Pine Tar" game from July 24 resumes from the point after George Brett’s home run. Yankees manager Billy Martin plays Ron Guidry in center field and places the left-handed Don Mattingly at second base as the Royals win, 5-4. NEW YORK -- The Yankees' decision-makers tracked Luke Voit's statistics for more than two years before pouncing Bernie Williams Jersey, believing that his potential had yet to be fully tapped. They took a celebratory lap when that call was proven correct, and the slugger is continuing to reward their investment.
Voit enjoyed the second multihomer game of his career on Monday evening, clearing the Yankee Stadium walls in the second and fifth innings as the Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 6-3 victory.
"We have the deepest team in baseball," Voit said. "Guys are coming up and providing us with innings, at-bats, everything. It's really impressive. I've never been on a team that's had this much depth. Guys have stepped in for big-time All-Star players and have done really well."Thairo Estrada and Aaron Hicks also homered for the Yankees Brett Gardner Jersey, who improved to 10-0 in the Bronx this year, tying club records set in 1951 and '87. New York has dominated the Red Sox dating back to last season, winning 10 consecutive games for the first time since 1952-53, when Ted Williams was flying combat missions in Korea.
"That's unique in the history of this rivalry," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I just think it's a stretch where we've had a few really good series against them. They've had some things not go their way, so I don't put a whole lot into it."One of the American League's most productive power hitters prior to a core muscle injury last June that eventually required surgery, Voit used baseball's four-month pause productively, trimming about 13 pounds from his frame while increasing strength.
Voit has said that he feels like his thump has returned, and he's not shy about showing it, especially with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list. Voit crushed a two-run shot in the second inning off Boston starter Martín Pérez, then circled the bases again in the fifth with a solo shot to left field off Josh Osich.
"Luke is a guy that can do a lot of damage," Hicks said. "He's starting to prove that now. He's very important to this team, especially now. We've got a couple of guys on the IL and he's going to be very important to us."Two of Voit's four career multihomer games have come against the Red Sox, having also accomplished the feat on Sept. 19, 2018. His seven homers are second on the club to Judge's nine.
"It's a big-time series every time you play these guys. We always bring it," Voit said. "They've been fighting the injury bug, too, but we've had guys come up and step up. They've had a lot of pitching guys going up and down. We're locked in and it doesn't matter who it is. We'll be ready to go."