TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees will field a lineup stocked with recognizable stars for Friday’s 1:05 p.m. ET Grapefruit League opener against the Rays, including first looks at outfielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in pinstripes.
Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge facing opponents, though.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge is slated to play his first Grapefruit League game on or around March 1. As with catcher Austin Wells, the delayed start is a nod to the workload and extended postseason run Judge experienced last year.
“I just feel like I don’t want to rush him out there,” Boone said. “I was walking through the schedule the other day with him, [talking about] how do we build up and make sure we get a steady build with the right number of at-bats.”
Judge, who played in a career-high 158 games plus 14 more in the postseason, said he is on board with Boone’s plan.
“I just do what I’m told,” Judge said. “I went into his office and we were looking at dates. He was like, ‘How do you feel about the 28th or the 1st?’ I said, ‘Whatever you’ve got lined up.’ Just as long as that last week, we’re playing almost every day and getting three or four at-bats.”
Boone said there are no injury concerns with Judge, who has been working out for several weeks at the Yankees’ Florida complex. He took live at-bats on Thursday against left-hander Max Fried and right-hander Ian Hamilton, and he will continue to face high-velocity pitches behind the scenes.
“A lot of this goes back to what we’re able to do now and what we’re able to replicate when these guys aren’t playing,” Boone said. “It’s just so much better than when I played.”
Boone said other starters in Friday’s exhibition opener will include second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., shortstop Anthony Volpe and outfielder Jasson Domínguez (MLB Pipeline's No. 21 overall prospect). Right-hander Marcus Stroman will start and is expected to toss one inning.
Stanton shelved
Opening Day remains in doubt for Giancarlo Stanton (sore elbows), as Boone said there is no timetable for the designated hitter to resume baseball activities. Stanton said he has not swung a bat for three to four weeks, and described his level of pain as “very high.”
“Hopefully this time down is something that serves him well, playing the long game,” Boone said. “I think that will be the case. It’s just a matter of, at what point is that? Is that Opening Day? Is that into the season? We’ll see on that. … I don’t think it’s imminent to where he’s doing something.”
Birthday boy
Celebrating his 26th birthday on Thursday, Clarke Schmidt said his stiff back is feeling better after an “aggressive throwing session” on Wednesday. The right-hander is slated to toss from a bullpen mound on Friday, and has no concerns about being ready for Opening Day.
“It was just general soreness. I think it’s early, so we don’t want to push through anything crazy and make an issue,” Schmidt said. “I was throwing some live [batting practice] across the street [at Minor League camp] and had some extra soreness after that. So it was just taking it easy and starting that ramp back up now.”
Familiar face
Didi Gregorius was back in uniform as a one-day guest instructor on Thursday, assisting the infielders in drills at Boone’s invitation.
Gregorius wore a media credential and carried a camera for Wednesday’s workout, during which he tailed team photographer Ariele Goldman Hecht.
“To get somebody that played with us recently is always great,” Boone said. “He was here for the coaches’ meetings, so he got a taste of that side of things as we walked through the day. It was great having Didi out here.”
Group hang
The Yankees held their annual team bonding event after Thursday’s workout, making use of the new patio area on the first-base side of Steinbrenner Field. An ice cream truck was hired for the event, which featured barbecue and what Boone described as “some competitive cornhole.”
“Buckle up,” Boone said.