Yankees' Aaron Judge apparently ready for Wednesday return to lineup

TAMPA, Fla. – Aaron Judge is set to return to the Yankees lineup on Wednesday, which would give the captain just over a week to get ready for the regular season.

Apparently set to return.

The caveat is necessary because it has been mostly a cloak-and-dagger production surrounding Judge from the time he was removed from a March 10 game against the Braves after two at-bats.

The outfielder, who went for an MRI on his abdomen (it came back clean) last Monday, did not start swinging a bat again until Friday.

Monday made it four straight days Judge hit indoors, including off a high velocity machine on Sunday and working, Aaron Boone said, on “a lot of breaking ball stuff” on Monday.

“He got really good work in today,” the Yankees manager added after a 4-3 victory over the Phillies at Steinbrenner Field.

While some of his teammates took batting practice outside Monday, Judge stood in center shagging flies and conversing with former Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams, who has been in and out all spring as a guest instructor.

“Don’t want this to turn into something real, which I think is smart,” Boone said of the conservative approach.

It is a prudent approach.

Because, despite some outside concern that Judge (assuming he takes the field Wednesday as Boone said he would) won’t have enough at-bats in the spring before the start of the regular season March 28 in Houston, veteran hitters simply don’t need nearly as much time to feel prepared for when the lights come on as pitchers do (spring training is six weeks for the sole purpose of allowing starters to stretch out).

“He should play four of the six games,” Boone said of what remains on the Yankees' spring schedule. “I think he’ll be good.”

Speaking over the weekend, general manager Brian Cashman said he had no concerns about Judge, who missed 10 games early last season with a right hip strain and then 42 games with a right big toe sprain, the latter injury more or less sending the Yankees into a downward spiral they never recovered from in finishing 82-80.

“I react, in his particular case, to what the doctors tell me,” Cashman said. “And they’re like, ‘He’s good. Just give him some time and get him going again.’ So as far as I’m concerned, that’s in the rearview mirror. Even though he hasn’t played yet, that’s more of a timing issue rather than a concern issue. And he’s a pro. He knows how to get ready and knock the rust off, all that stuff. I’m not worried about it.”

Extra bases

It has been apparent for at least the last week that Austin Wells is a shoo-in to make the roster out of camp – and he may well end up as the primary catcher – and the same can be said of Jose Trevino. Barring injury for either, of course. For that reason there has been recent buzz among rival scouts assigned to the Yankees that reserve catcher Ben Rortvedt, who is out of options and therefore would be exposed to waivers, and likely claimed, if he’s not on the roster, could be dealt before camp breaks…

Oswaldo Cabrera, who has shown an ability to play multiple positions in the big leagues but whose lack of hitting at that level has held him back from consistent playing time, went 2-for-3 Monday, including a long home run to right. Cabrera, likely to make the club out of camp as a reserve, went 2-for-3 and is 8-for-39 (.205) with a .587 OPS this spring….

Former manager Joe Torre, in camp the last several days as a guest instructor, brought out the Yankees lineup card before the game (and made a pitching change, removing Carlos Rodon from the game in the sixth inning). Torre, elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014 in large part because of the four World Series titles won during his tenure from 1996-2007, received a standing ovation. Phillies coaches also applauded. “It was awesome,” said Boone, managed by Torre in 2003. “What a treat to have him here the last few days. Our guys loved it.”