SARASOTA, Fla. -- Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge probably was half-joking and half-serious Wednesday when he told Baltimore Oriole shortstop Manny Machado that he'd "look good in pinstripes, too."

Surely, there was no intent on tampering with the future free agent's current employer during that conversation, or later, when he brought it up during an interview after he departed a spring game that the Yankees lost, 7-4

That's the way Judge came off anyway.

Apparently, his comments to Machado and/or the media were a no-no, however.

The New York Daily contacted MLB for reaction and it released a statement in response:

"We have been in contact with the Yankees. They communicated to us that Mr. Judge's off the cuff comments were not appropriate and not authorized by the club. They will speak to him to make sure that this does not happen again."

Judge now knows not to campaign for an opposing player to join the Yankees, and if it does happen again, he's been forewarned not to make it public.

After Judge spoke, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked for reaction during his post-game interview.

"I don't think he said that," Boone said.

Assured that he did, Boone responded, "I'll leave that alone."

A three-time All-Star third baseman who is switching to shortstop this year, Machado can be a free agent after the 2018 season. There have been rumors for years that he'll sign with the Yankees because they were his favorite team when he grew up in South Florida. Alex Rodriguez was his favorite player.

Wednesday's spring game was the first meeting of the season between the AL East rivals.

Machado started at shortstop for the Orioles, but he was not available for comment before or after the game.

Judge was asked about Machado 2 1/2 minutes into his interview. He first was asked what he thinks when looks across the diamond at Machado knowing that he'll be a free agent soon.

"He's one heck of a player," Judge said. "He's been doing it quite a few years at the best level. He's one of the best, if not the best, defensive third basemen. Now he's probably going to be one of the best defensive shortstops and what he brings on the offensive side of it, he's the complete package.

"Also he's going to be a happy man when it comes to free agency wherever he wants to go."

Judge then was asked how it makes him feel to hear Machado supposedly dreamed of being a Yankee during his youth.

"To add him to our lineup that we've already got ... it would be something special," he said. "I told him he'd look good in pinstripes, so ..."

Pressed for more details, Judge shared Machado's response - "He kind of laughed it off. He didn't say much" - then he added that their conversation happened during a pre-game chat.

"Before the game, we talked for a little bit," Judge said. "I asked him how his offseason was going, how everything was going. I asked him how he liked short and I said, 'You would look pretty good in pinstripes, too.'"

Judge added that he knows Machado from Yankees-Orioles games.

"He's a great guy, so it's good always keeping in contact with him and checking in with him," Judge said. "Playing against him is fun."

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.