Inside The Pinstripes

Aaron Judge Proves He's 'Ready to Go' For Opening Day After Injury Scare

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge proves he's ready to go for opening day, participating in a workout at Yankee Stadium after feeling under the weather

Max Goodman

NEW YORK — Before any of the Yankees had emerged from the dugout on Wednesday afternoon to begin stretching for New York's workout, Aaron Judge emerged, briefly standing on the top step to examine the diamond. 

For a moment a few days ago, it seemed like Judge's availability for opening day was in jeopardy. He was scratched from Monday's lineup in the Yankees' spring training finale, sitting out for the third game in a row. 

Nonetheless, Judge proved on Wednesday that he's turned the corner after feeling "under the weather" at the conclusion of camp. 

"He's good to go," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said following the workout at Yankee Stadium. "Judgey looks great and feels great. He's ready to go."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed on Monday that a bad case of seasonal allergies kept Judge off the field on the club's final day in Tampa. Mix in the league's extensive COVID-19 protocols, after Judge reported symptoms to the team, and the best option for precautionary reasons was for Judge to stay home.

The 28-year-old participated in every part of Wednesday's workout. He clobbered home runs in batting practice, shagged fly balls in right and threw with his teammates while everyone got loose.

The slugger wasn't among the position players that faced left-handers Jordan Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman during their sim games earlier in the morning, but only a select few Yankees did get a chance to hit live. 

Any doubts regarding Judge's status for opening day have been stamped out. Barring any unforeseen circumstances leading up to first pitch on Thursday afternoon, No. 99 will jog out to right field in pinstripes with the rest of New York's starting lineup for what should be an exciting and emotional opening day. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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