Yankees bravely optimistic as Aaron Judge heads for more tests on mysterious shoulder pain
LAKELAND, Fla. – Aaron Judge goes for another round of tests on Monday, as the Yankees try to solve their latest medical mystery in camp.
What’s wrong with the slugger’s right shoulder?
“It’s frustrating that we haven’t pinpointed exactly what it is and what’s causing the discomfort,’’ manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday. “But I’d say I feel a little more optimistic about where we’re at.’’
Asked what provided that optimism, Boone replied: “It’s just how I’m feeling.’’
If you can’t take a sunny outlook in spring training, when can you?
So, there’ll be another organizational chorus of whistling in the dark as Judge has additional unspecified exams in Florida.
Judge was at the Yankees complex on Sunday morning, but there wasn’t much Boone could add about the right fielder’s condition, “other than he’s doing better’’ than Friday or Saturday.
“They worked on him a lot (Saturday),’’ Boone said of the training staff. “So, I’d say we were a little encouraged this morning.’’
After his weekend outing, ace Gerrit Cole expressed his personal optimism that Stanton and Judge would return to action soon.
“And you know they're at that time in the year where you don't really have to push anything,’’ Cole said of the spring training calendar. Plus, “we have depth, we have a lot of good players’’ to fill the void.
Targeting the pain
The source of Judge’s discomfort is located more under the right pectoral muscle, near the armpit, when he swings.
“Where’s it coming from? What’s generating that?’’ Boone said of the questions still lingering, despite two negative MRI results.
Judge has had no problems throwing, according to Boone. The discomfort only surfaces while he's hitting and “it returned when he really started ramping up the last few days,’’ Boone said.
During batting practice just before the Yankees first full squad workout on Feb. 18, Judge was shut down from hitting because of shoulder maintenance and had just resumed taking indoor batting practice last Thursday.
“He’s been getting a lot of treatment,’’ Boone said of Judge. “A lot of eyes and hands (have been) on him, trying to get to the bottom and free him up a little bit.’’
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. Twitter: @pcaldera