According to Aaron Judge, he believes the discomfort in his abdomen that kept him out this week won't make him miss the New York Yankees' March 28 opener in Houston.
The 31-year-old mentioned that he started feeling discomfort when he followed through on his swing about a week ago. His last game was on Sunday, where he struck out in both at-bats. He plans to start swinging a bat again this week after having an MRI on Monday.
Judge mentioned on Tuesday that tests were conducted and everything looked good. He also stated that he prefers taking some days off now and being cautious, with the most important thing being opening day.
Last season, Judge missed 42 games due to a torn ligament in his right big toe from running into the Dodger Stadium's right-field fence on June 3. He began his offseason hitting program in November.
From November until now, Judge has been swinging a bat every day, which he thinks has resulted in some wear and tear. He also mentioned that the toe injury from last year affected his mechanics, and it's just a part of being a baseball player.
At the Yankees camp on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone mentioned that while the team awaits tests on the right elbow of AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, it would be challenging for the ace to be ready to start the opener.
Rays' Taj Bradley pulled out
Taj Bradley, a right-hander for the Rays, was pulled out from a planned start in Sarasota, Florida, and went for an MRI after feeling tightness in his pectoral while warming up.
The Rays were depending on the 22-year-old Bradley to secure a spot in the starting rotation.
According to manager Kevin Cash, he's hopeful that Bradley's injury was identified before it turns serious, as per the Tampa Bay Times. Cash expects to have more updates on Wednesday.
Bradley threw over 50 pitches in his sole start in this spring training.
Montas set to start opener
Reds manager David Bell stated that Frankie Montas' preparation and dedication earned the 30-year-old right-hander the opening day start for Cincinnati against Washington on Monday.
Cincinnati signed Montas to a $16 million, one-year contract, hoping that his surgically repaired shoulder would allow him to contribute to the starting rotation alongside young pitchers like Hunter Greene, who will start game 2.
Montas began openers with Oakland in 2020 and 2022 but was limited to one appearance last year with the Yankees. After recovering from shoulder surgery in February, Montas threw 26 pitches over 1 1/3 innings, securing a win at Kansas City on the final weekend of the season.
Bell said, "Frankie did a great job of coming in ready for camp. He stood out with his level of preparation when he arrived."
JOBE’S HEAT
21-year-old right-hander Jackson Jobe, drafted third overall by Detroit in the 2021 amateur draft, made his spring training debut and reached 101.8 mph.
In his debut, he struck out two batters during a 1-2-3 ninth against Minnesota, reaching his fastest pitch on a ball to Dylan Neuse, bringing the count to 1-2. Neuse took a full-count called third strike, and Willie Joe Garry Jr. struck out on three pitches, with the last one being a changeup.
Jobe had a 2-4 record with a 2.81 ERA in 16 starts across four minor league teams last year. He struck out 84 batters and walked six in 64 innings.
MIGGY
Miguel Cabrera rejoined the Tigers at their camp in Lakeland, Florida, taking on the role of the organization’s newest special assistant.
The Tigers wanted the probable Hall of Famer to remain with the team as an assistant after he retired last season. He plans to be at the camp for the remainder of the week.
Manager A.J. Hinch shared, “As he entered the building and the room, all the guys were very enthusiastic. So it’s a great time to bring his energy and laughter to the field.”
“I’m feeling good. I feel like I gave everything I had in baseball,” Cabrera, who is 40 years old and played 21 seasons in the big leagues, expressed. “Right now I can say, ‘OK, that’s enough.’ ”