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Marly RiveraESPN Writer
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has been a mainstay in the New York Yankees’ lineup all season as he continues to place up numbers that might outline his MVP-caliber 2022 season as top-of-the-line ever.
Manager Aaron Boone, nevertheless, is not worried about the mental or physical state of his All-Star outfielder earlier than the playoffs whereas he’s steeped in the chase for home run historical past.
Judge is one home run from tying Roger Maris’ American League single-season document of 61, however he has performed in 45 consecutive video games — he additionally performed 47 straight earlier this season. In whole, he has performed 147 of the Yankees’ 151 video games, and he has 73 begins in middle subject, which is a profession excessive.
“Hopefully, we can continue to kind of stack up some wins here and put ourselves in a position to where, in the last week, [we can] rest,” Boone mentioned earlier than Saturday’s 7-5 win, in which Judge went 0-for-3 with a stroll and two strikeouts in opposition to the Boston Red Sox.
“Paying attention to not just Aaron, but to all the guys and what their needs are. I feel like [Judge] is in a good spot, as fresh as you can be mentally. I don’t think this has been something that’s worn him down. Because if I felt like it was, and he needed a day, I would give it to him.”
Boone mentioned Judge has benefited not solely from the remaining days constructed into the schedule of late — the Yankees had three days off throughout their newest highway journey — however famous that Judge’s physical conditioning and sturdiness are higher than final yr.
“That’s a unique part of the schedule that I think served [Judge] and us well,” Boone mentioned. “But coupled with the fact that, I think, this year, more than last year where he remained remarkably healthy, there were still days where I knew he was a little beat up and felt like he needed something. It’s been a little cleaner throughout. There were some true strategic [days off] early in the middle of the year around some off days that hopefully served him well.”
Boone mentioned Judge’s chase for historical past hasn’t worn him down mentally, both.
“I don’t think it has taken that mental toll, because you are always paying attention to that with players,” Boone mentioned. “Sometimes you feel like a guy does need a break. I haven’t felt that to be the case [with Judge].
“I feel it is the evolution of him. He’s achieved a greater job figuring out he would not need to do the whole lot each day. He is aware of find out how to protect and avoid wasting bullets, particularly whenever you get into the second half of the season and among the canine days. He’s actually realized find out how to put together and understanding that, particularly bodily, that much less is extra a variety of occasions.”