NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge finally received the “thumbs up” he’d been seeking from the Yankees’ training staff on Friday, returning to right field for the first time since sustaining a right flexor strain. But the captain’s first game-action throws in more than six weeks prompted fresh questions.
Tested immediately, Judge appeared unwilling to throw at full force, tossing to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. rather than challenging a runner at the plate on Nathan Lukes’ first-inning, two-run single in the Yankees’ 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
Yet Judge insisted he can make any necessary plays, saying: “Everything is feeling pretty good, so if you can throw, you’ve got to get out there.”
With the loss, New York (78-63) trails Toronto (82-59) by four games in the American League East, while still in control of an AL Wild Card spot. The Yanks are 3-8 vs. the Blue Jays this year.
“They’ve certainly had our number to this point,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Judge fielded Lukes’ hit just as Daulton Varsho reached third base, with the runner scoring uncontested.
“My first thought was to get it into Jazz, get it in to whoever, just for them to make that throw,” Judge said. “Because my first thought was trying to make the play. It just kind of died before it got to me. So my next thought is, try to get it in as soon as you can and see what happens.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged the uncertainty of Judge’s situation factored into third-base coach Carlos Febles’ decision to wave Varsho home.
“Going into it, I know it’s his first game back in the outfield and there was a little bit of an unknown with how he was going to respond,” Schneider said. “We wanted to test it.”
Asked about restrictions on Judge’s throwing, Boone said: “He’s playing. He’s in there. He’s good enough to be in there. And hopefully it will continue to improve.”
The shaky sequence was part of a three-run, 40-pitch frame against rookie Cam Schlittler, who lasted just 1 2/3 innings and saw 24 foul balls on his 66 pitches.
“It’s frustrating,” Schlittler said. “The biggest thing is, we’re playing a division rival. You can’t go 1 2/3 innings.”
Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo second-inning homer off Kevin Gausman, Stanton’s 19th of the season and the 448th of his career, moving within one of Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Jeff Bagwell for 41st place on the all-time list.
But the Yankees managed little else against the 34-year-old right-hander, who scattered four hits and struck out five with a walk.
“He pitched really effectively with the lead,” Boone said.
Friday’s nod in the outfield marked Judge’s first defensive assignment since July 25 vs. the Phillies, three days after television replays showed him grimacing following a throw against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Over the past several weeks, Judge has steadily progressed during pregame workouts, including throws to bases.
Boone and Judge have both been waiting on the athletic trainers to sign off on outfield play, a green light that appeared Friday. But does he feel ready to throw unencumbered?
“I wouldn’t be in the outfield if I wasn’t able to make that throw,” Judge said.
Judge and Chisholm also miscommunicated on Bo Bichette’s fifth-inning popup, which fell between the fielders for a single. Judge accepted responsibility, saying, “That’s just on me. I’ve got to take control there.”
Boone indicated the team will exercise caution with Judge, saying he doesn’t plan on “going every day with him initially,” opening an avenue for Stanton to continue logging outfield starts several times a week. Judge said he hopes to play “as much as I can.”
Overall, Judge remains a strong candidate for what would be his third American League MVP Award, hitting .322/.442/.661 with 43 homers and 97 RBIs through Friday.
Still, he recently acknowledged that he would not anticipate throwing at full velocity initially, likening it to a baserunner coming back from a hamstring strain.
Boone also suggested in a radio interview that Judge’s arm might be compromised for the remainder of the season -- a statement Judge pushed against, prompting Boone to soften his stance. Friday’s events illustrated why the concern lingers.
“He’s a great right fielder,” Boone said. “So we weigh it, and we make a decision based on how he’s doing and what we think gives us the best chance to win.”