Aaron Judge returns to right field before probable off day – The Denver Post

BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees’ lineup as a DH on Friday. On Saturday, he returned to the field.

Aaron Boone used the reigning MVP as his right fielder and No. 2 hitter on Saturday with the Yankees looking for a bounce-back win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Judge played the field for the first time since his efforts on a June 3 catch at Dodger Stadium resulted in a torn ligament in his right big toe.

Boone said he checked on Judge after the slugger went 0-for-1 with three walks in his return to action on Friday. Judge felt good to go, and team trainer Mike Schuk felt comfortable with Judge playing two days in a row.

With that said, Judge is expected to get a day off on Sunday.

“Maybe. Probably, but we’ll see,” Boone said when asked if that was the plan. “We’ll get through today and see where we’re at.”

After Friday’s game, Judge said that he wasn’t looking for a day off in Baltimore, but he and the Yankees know they need to be careful.

“I’m trying to play every one, so I gotta talk to [Boone] after we talk here,” Judge said said. “I had a lot of missed time. So I gotta get back out there.

“Boonie might have some other ideas, but we’ll talk about it.”

Speaking of being careful, Boone was asked about the possibility of Judge diving in the field and knowing when to take his foot off the gas. While Judge’s injury occurred on an all-out defensive play — a cement step at Dodger Stadium didn’t help — the manager said the outfielder has “curtailed some of that” over the last two years.

“He’s played a little smarter,” Boone said. “Doesn’t mean he’s not going to play hard and try and make plays, but I think there’s certain things that he doesn’t feel great about doing yet. So he’s naturally going to avoid certain things.”

Boone added that there could be situations where a pinch-runner comes in for Judge as his toe continues to heal.

NASTY NESTOR

Nestor Cortes (rotator cuff) totaled four innings, two hits, zero runs, one walk, five strikeouts and 49 pitches in his rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Friday. He then made his way to Baltimore and arrived at Camden Yards in the middle of the Yankees’ rain-delayed game.

Boone said that Cortes felt good after the outing. The skipper watched the entire performance on Saturday morning.

“Everything looked good,” Boone said. “The breaking ball. He actually had a good changeup going. I talked to him about that today. But his fastball, the life was there. Command of the cutter. He was sharp.”

Cortes is expected to make one more rehab start before rejoining the Yankees. He’ll throw about 60 pitches his next time out.

LOAISIGA’S REHAB

Jonathan Loáisiga (bone spur) is going to start a rehab assignment on Sunday in Tampa, per Boone. He’ll “probably” need to make at least three or four rehab appearances before returning to the Yankees’ bullpen.

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