BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge made it clear that he did not want his season evaluated series-by-series, day-by-day through the lens of a contract extension he turned down. The Yankees slugger said that is why he wanted it all worked out by opening day and why he wouldn’t be talking about it.
Through 36 games, it could not have been more in Judge’s favor. He leads the big leagues in home runs with 14 and ranks second in slugging (.692), tied for second in extra-base hits (21) and third in OPS (1.076).
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said back then he knew the pressure of Judge betting on himself by turning down the deal worth $230 million would not affect the slugger at all.
“He’s handling exactly like I expected, which I knew would be a non-issue, results aside. I know what he’s about. I know what he’s focused on,” Boone said before Wednesday night’s game at Camden Yards. “I know how important he is to that team, not only between the lines but in that room and how much he wants to win and how much he wants to be a champion. And I know that’s where his focus lies.”
Judge and the Yankees not only could not work out a multi-year extension, but they have still not agreed on a deal for this season. While Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the door is open for negotiations, it seems the sides are still headed toward the arbitration table next month. The Yankees offered $17 million for this season, Judge’s side countered at $21 million.
Chapman OK
Aroldis Chapman gave up a run and put the winning run on second base Tuesday night, but managed to wiggle out of the jam to pick up his ninth save of the season. The Yankees’ closer has not looked sharp all season. In 13 1/3 innings pitched he has allowed four earned runs on 11 hits and nine walks. He has struck out 15. He has the lowest weak contact percentage and the second highest hard hit percentage of his career.
Though he was the only pitcher not on the field for stretching Wednesday afternoon, Boone said that physically the 34-year old Chapman is fine.
“I think it starts with fastball command, once he gets dialed in with that, everything will work off of that. The stuff is still there. The results have been there, for the most part to this point. We just continue to work on getting him right,” Boone said. “For me it starts with the fastball and executing with that pitch and being able to strike one with that pitch and others but, but getting more consistent with his heater.”
Britton update
Zack Britton, who had elbow reconstruction last fall, is progressing well. Boone said that the left-handed reliever is throwing at 120 feet on flat ground and will progress to throwing off the bullpen mound “soon.”
Britton, 34, missed almost all of the 2021 season with an elbow issue that eventually led to the surgery, which is like an advanced Tommy John surgery. He is not expected to return to the big leagues until late this season. This year is the last of his four-year, $53 million deal with the Yankees.
Catching up
Ben Rortvedt had arthroscopic surgery, a partial meniscectomy or “meniscus clean-up” on his left knee Wednesday the team announced. The surgery, which went as expected, was performed by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Recovery time to begin playing in games is expected to be 6-8 weeks.
The Yankees acquired Rortvedt in the deal that brought Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson to the Yankees and sent Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins. Rortvedt had a strained oblique when they made the trade and never had a chance to play with the Yankees in spring training. Initially the Yankees had hoped to use Rortvedt with Kyle Higashioka this season, but had to go out and make a deal for Jose Trevino the last week of spring training.
