Yankees: Aaron Judge won’t play in Spring Training opener

The New York Yankees open their Spring Training exhibition schedule Friday against the Detroit Tigers.

Yankees fans in attendance at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa will get to witness Giancarlo Stanton wear the pinstripes in a game for the first time, but they won’t see reigning American League Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge.

The right fielder is one of several Yanks’ starters manager Aaron Boone is keeping out of the first few exhibition games. Boone told Yankees.com the team wants to bring Judge along slowly following off-season surgery on his left shoulder.

“He’s been ramped up pretty good,” manager Aaron Boone said of Judge. “He’s doing well. Right on schedule to be ready to go in a game next week.”

Left fielder Brett Gardner and catcher Gary Sanchez are also sitting out Friday. According to Yankees.com, the team also wants to ease both of them into game situations this year.

“With Gardy, we are just slow playing it a bit,” Boone said. “With Gary, we are monitoring his workload a bit. He’s been doing a lot down here, so we’ll probably hold him out a couple days.”

More from Yankees News

• Yankees sign 2022 Red Sox reliever, invite him to spring training
• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA
• Never forget Miguel Andújar wrecked Yankees’ Nolan Arenado trade
• Diamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrows
• Aaron Judge Time interview scared Yankees as much as it scared you

Right-hander Luis Cessa is scheduled to start on the mound for the Yankees in Friday’s Grapefruit League opener. Fellow righty Domingo German starts the next game, which is Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, FL. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery gets the nod versus the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, FL, on Sunday; and righty Sonny Gray takes the hill for the Yanks on Monday night against the Phillies in Tampa.

So far, there’s been no word whether newly-acquired infielder Brandon Drury will play on Friday.

He’s one of several Yanks fighting for the two open starting infield spots. Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes are all vying to play second base and third base.

Next: Yankees all-time greatest seasons by position

The Yanks open their Grapefruit League schedule at 1:05 p.m. Eastern Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL, when they face the Detroit Tigers. You can see the game on the YES Network and MLB.TV.