Yankees: Aaron Judge discusses his injury, Giancarlo Stanton and high expectations

TAMPA, Fla. – Aaron Judge believes he's got a lot of room to grow.

After a unanimous romp to the AL Rookie of the Year award and a runner-up finish in the AL MVP balloting, "that's what kind of motivates me - how good can you be?'' Judge said Wednesday at Yankees camp.

"I'm just trying to get better this year and build off last year.''

Ready for April

Nearly three months since arthroscopic surgery to clean out his left shoulder, Judge said it “feels good’’ but he’s not going to jump right into the Grapefruit League schedule.

“The games that matter are in April,’’ Judge said. “So, if I miss a couple games, which I probably will early in the spring, I’d rather miss those games than miss games starting at the end of March, early April. So, I think we’re on the right track.''

Manager Aaron Boone plans to “pull the reigns on him a little bit,’’ and wouldn’t give a date for when he expects Judge to begin playing exhibition games.

In speaking to Judge, “he’s chomping to get out there,’’ Boone said. “But we’ll be smart with him and probably go slower with him than others, no doubt.’’

Get Giancarlo

When GM Brian Cashman phoned Judge in early December, saying that he had a deal for Giancarlo Stanton on the table with Miami, Judge replied: “Yes, get him.’’

Cashman’s concern was about how Judge felt about “getting some more DH days, or the possibilities of getting some reps in left field,’’ Judge said. His reply? “Whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m here for. We’re in here to win it.’’

The shoulder

Judge couldn’t say precisely when or how his shoulder became an issue last season, except he “kind of felt it around that All-Star break…I was crashing into walls, taking a lot of swings…but it’s tough to pinpoint exactly when.’’

And that gives some fodder to the notion that his participation in the Home Run Derby – all those mighty, repetitive swings without a break - might have played a part in his shoulder issues or hastened an already existing condition.

Regardless, Judge wouldn’t connect the shoulder problem to his slump.

“If I could play, I was going to be ready for my team,’’ said Judge, who spun out of that second-half slump by winning September’s Player of the Month award. But he said he did not have a cortisone shot. “Mostly, just treatment, stim and ultrasound.’’

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Left or right?

Judge said he didn’t play right field until he entered pro ball. “I’m primarily a center fielder,’’ said Judge, who played center and left field in college. So, Judge said “it doesn’t matter’’ if he’s in right field or left field on opening day.

Boone said that both Judge and Stanton would get defensive reps in left field early in camp. As for game action, that’s up in the air. “We’ll talk and see where they’re most comfortable,’’ Boone said of finding the best fit defensively for both players. “Right now, I wouldn’t say who I think is better suited.

"It’s about winning for them and what’s best of the team,’’ Boone said. “So, whatever situation we work out in the end, I think we’ll have buy-in from two great players.’’

Impressions of Boone

“The biggest thing I picked up from him early was the mentality of expecting to be great,’’ Judge said. “We’re the New York Yankees. We’re expected to be great, we’re expecting to win every game. I can’t wait to…got to battle with him.

"My early impression of him is he’s ready for the long haul, he’s ready for this. And especially, coming into New York, it’s going to be a challenge. But I actually told him today (that) we’re all in this together.