TAMPA — The decision to take it slow with Aaron Judge’s surgically repaired left shoulder at the beginning of spring training appears to have paid off.
With five exhibition games remaining, Judge’s bat looks ready to open the season, which starts March 29 against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
“It’s getting there,’’ Judge said after swatting two homers in Wednesday night’s 9-4 win over the Orioles, in which he played all nine innings with Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks. “You want to make sure you peak on Opening Day and not before.’’
Earlier in the day, Giancarlo Stanton said he noticed Judge wasn’t satisfied with hitting 52 homers and driving in 114 runs, which won him the AL Rookie of the Year award last year.
“Stats don’t carry over, nobody cares about last year,’’ Judge said.
Judge also said almost not making the team out of spring training a year ago is burned into his memory.
“You can’t forget that, you never forget that,’’ Judge said.
Aaron Boone plans to hit Judge second for his ability to get on base and his power. With two walks, Judge provided both.
“I feel like he’s been good for a couple of weeks. He’s winning a lot of pitches,’’ Boone said.
With Tyler Austin and Billy McKinney joining Giovanny Gallegos and Ben Heller being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, the final roster spot will be filled with a reliever. The Yankees still are deciding whether it will be a long or short man.
Among the candidates are Domingo German, Jonathan Holder, Luis Cessa and possibly Wade LeBlanc, the only lefty in the group. LeBlanc would need to be put on the 40-man roster.
Jacoby Ellsbury knows Opening Day is rapidly approaching, but didn’t offer an opinion on whether he will start the season on the disabled list.
“I’m focusing on what I can this next week,’’ Ellsbury said. “Right now it’s early work.’’
Asked if it was realistic to think he can play by March 29, Ellsbury didn’t say yes or no.
“I’ve been doing everything I can when not playing,’’ said Ellsbury, who hasn’t played since March 1 due to an oblique problem and then the flu this past weekend. “The oblique feels great. I’m looking forward to getting back on the field. I’ll have a better idea of what to expect after today.’’
Ellsbury took batting practice Tuesday and after Wednesday’s session he said it went well. He is on Thursday’s trip to Fort Myers, Fla., to play the Twins. Boone said Ellsbury will get two at-bats and play center field.
“The next couple of days will be an indication where my game is at,’’ said Ellsbury, who possibly will get at-bats against the Red Sox on Friday at GMS Field.
Boone informed Tyler Wade on Monday the 23-year-old had made the team. Boone told the media on Tuesday, and Wade was congratulated by teammates Wednesday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity, it’s going to be fun,’’ said Wade, who hit .310 at SWB a year ago and .155 in 30 big league games. “We’re just getting started. That part is over and get ready for Opening Day.’’
Wade was hitting in the cage when Boone pulled him into the office.
“I was nervous. It’s my first Opening Day with the team I grew up watching,’’ said Wade, who Boone says will get at-bats while playing second, third and short.
Wade’s first call was to his parents in California so they could make plans. It’s a family tradition that his folks travel to the home city of wherever he played for Opening Day.
After stops in Charleston, Tampa, Trenton and SWB, this year’s trip brings Wade’s family to the Bronx.
Brian Cashman said the Yankees didn’t go after free-agent pitcher Alex Cobb, who agreed to a four-year deal worth $57 million with the Orioles.
“Never had a conversation, really,’’ the Yankees’ GM said.
Boone said “not likely’’ when asked if Stanton will play left field in any of the four games in Toronto next week.
“I see [Brett Gardner] playing every game of that series,’’ Boone said of his regular left fielder.
Boone said Clint Frazier (concussion) is “getting better,’’ but didn’t have a date when Frazier would play in a game.
Outside of Ronald Torreyes playing third base, Boone had eight of the nine players who are expected to be in the lineup on Opening Day and the first seven — with Greg Bird hitting third — were in the likely order they will appear on March 29 in Toronto.
Gary Sanchez caught two runners attempting to steal second base. A strong throw caught Luis Sardinas in the third and Sanchez threw to second baseman Neil Walker, who got Austin Hays in a rundown in the fourth.
The Yankees had Torreyes catch a bullpen session recently to prepare the 5-foot-8 utility infielder to be the emergency catcher, if needed in a game. “Low target, Bob Boone target and good hands,’’ was Aaron Boone’s scouting report on Torreyes.
The Yankees travel to Fort Myers and play the Twins on Thursday. Jacoby Ellsbury is slated to play center field and get two at-bats. He hasn’t played since March 1 because of an oblique injury. Jordan Montgomery will start for the Yankees.