Aaron Judge, Yankees ready for first full-squad workout on Monday in Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees' first full-squad workout is on Monday, but on Sunday the position players reported for physicals. Leading the way at 8 a.m. was the man who hit 62 home runs last year.
His silhouette is unmistakable, the light revealing the best sight. Aaron Judge has arrived.
"It's not like Aaron has to be Superman or do anything he hasn't done in the past, so that's gonna be really nice for us," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said.
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Rizzo's friendship with Judge played a role in the return of the MVP. Well, actually, it may have been the friendship of their dogs.
"Via FaceTime pictures. It's funny that became such a big story. It's true, I did send him pictures to try and guilt him a little bit, but ultimately, I was rooting for him to make a decision to make him and [Judge's wife] Sam happiest"
The full roster has arrived and is starting to take shape. Ace Gerrit Cole was on the mound for 25 pitches as he adjusts to the new pitch clock. Meanwhile, left-hander Nestor Cortes is ramping up his workload in his follow up to a breakout season.
"I'm progressing really well. I know about a week ago I said that it might be two weeks before I get off the mound, but our daily progression has been really good. I was able to get off the mound two days ago," Cortes said.
The 2022 All-Star won't be pitching in the World Baseball Classic, but is making progress from a hamstring strain, which is good news for a rotation that can ill afford another setback following the news that projected fifth starter Frankie Montas will have shoulder surgery and could miss most of the season.
"It's always fun to come in every year and have high expectations for yourself," Cortes said. "I think last year everybody heard that Aaron Boone told me I was going to be an All-Star and I didn't believe him at the time, and I was an All-Star. But this year, I have more personal goals that I want to reach and hopefully I can continue to do that."
Most of the Yankees roster is set, but there's one key position yet to be determined, shortstop. Oswald Peraza was working turning double plays with Gleyber Torres on Sunday. Peraza enjoyed success last season, but that doesn't guarantee an opening day starting role. In fact, opening day isn't really even the goal.
"I understand the opening day situation, and that's kind of an understandable benchmark. That's all we have to go on and it's, it's a big day. But, you know, I view this as a situation that could evolve throughout the season, too, you know, so the guy there on opening day may not be there on Day 10," manager Aaron Boone said.
"As far as what do I have to see? I don't know. I mean, that's going to be, you know, we got five, six weeks to look at what we think is the best thing for for him and for us as far as what gives us the best chance to win ballgames," Boone added. "So we're going to evaluate it all. We feel like we have really good options, and we'll try and make the best decision for the Yankees."
Boone went on to say all of the Yankees shortstops will be playing multiple positions, so confining a player to just one spot won't be in the cards.