MINNEAPOLIS -- The first two games of this week’s series at Target Field couldn’t have gone much better for the Yankees. They won both handily, and on Monday Aaron Judge hit his first home run since returning from the IL on Sept. 8.
But you can’t blame Yankees fans for holding their collective breath after Judge was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game. The club announced later that the slugger was removed due to tightness in his lower right leg.
Judge, who sat out Tuesday’s game as a routine day off after playing six straight games, struck out in each of his first two at-bats against Twins starter Zebby Matthews on Wednesday. Video appeared to show Judge wincing during one of his swings.
Heliot Ramos pinch-hit for Judge and also struck out against Matthews, who fanned eight in six scoreless innings.