TAMPA — Whatever is going on around Aaron Judge with his contract status is clearly not affecting him on the field. The Yankees slugger crushed his first and second home runs of the spring Sunday in the Yankees’ 7-4 win over the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Judge launched a 407-foot homer over the batters’ eye off Jose Quintana in the third inning and then scorched a 382-foot laser shot to right center off J.T. Brubaker in the fifth.
“A really good day for him and especially (playing) the third game in a row for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So I went a little bit shorter with him, but for him to be able to get that third at-bat and keep his day a little bit shorter. I think as a hitter of his stature it’s not always obviously about results necessarily, but as a hitter, it’s always good to get them.”
Judge and the Yankees have 11 days before his soft deadline to talk about a contract extension. The sides were unable to even agree on a one-year deal yet to avoid arbitration, coming about $4 million apart on their numbers. Judge said Saturday there could be some more time if there are productive extension talks going by April 7. GM Brian Cashman said the Yankees would make a multi-year offer to their face of the franchise before that date.
Boone said he knew that what could be a contentious situation would not change Judge in the clubhouse or on the field.
“I know what a competitor he is, the kind of teammate he is,” Boone said. “And so I think whatever goes on there he’ll deal with it, handle it and be the guy we know.”
SECOND TIME AROUND
Jordan Montgomery struggled in his spring opener, but Saturday the lefty was solid. He struck out five and scattered two hits in two innings of work.
“I knew immediately after the (first) game just off the shapes of my pitches that I was just late. So just kind of just see how they’re moving. And if they’re not right then you’re not on top of the ball or behind it,” Montgomery said.
NEXT STEP
Ben Rortvedt took another step forward in his rehab from a strained oblique Sunday. The young catcher the Yankees acquired from the Twins caught his first bullpen since being shut down. He is still not sure if that puts him in line to be ready for Opening Day on April 7.
“I don’t want to rule it out, but I’m also not really sure at this point,” Rortvedt said. “Just try to be smart about it so it doesn’t linger. So take it day by day.”
The Yankees catching depth is a concern if Rortvedt isn’t ready. After trading Gary Sanchez to the Twins, in the deal that brought in Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Rortvedt, the Bombers only have him and Kyle Higashioka on the 40-man roster. They also have Rob Brantly, Max McDowell and David Freitas in camp.
They were aware that Rortvedt was injured when they acquired him. He strained the right oblique on pre-spring training workouts at the Eric Cressey Sports Performance facility. He was there working with Cressey, who also heads the Yankees director of player health and performance, and other major leaguers like Justin Verlander.
“It was a freak, but also a workload thing,” Rortvedt said. “I think I just gotta manage and watch my swings from now on. Honestly I was just trying to come in ultra prepared and make the team.”
MILLER TIME
The Yankees added former All-Star pitcher Shelby Miller to the mix at spring training Sunday. The right-hander agreed to a minor league contract with the Bombers with an invite to big league spring training.
The 31-year-old was an All-Star in 2015 and third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2013. He has pitched to a 4.19 ERA in 163 games over his career. He struggled last season, pitching to a 9.24 ERA in 13 games with the Cubs and Pirates.
“Well, he’s a guy that’s had success in the league. A guy I remember seeing him a lot in St. Louis, a guy that had a lot of early success in his career as a starter. So hopefully we can unlock some things that provide us with some upside and that potential he’s had all along,” Boone said. “I saw him before the game in street clothes when he was finishing up his physical, he looks great, so we’ll kind of see what we have.”
