TAMPA — The Yankees are losing their captain for a few weeks in March, but they plan on seeing plenty of him in game action until then.
Before he leaves to captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Aaron Judge likely will play in four or five of the first nine Grapefruit League games, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday, adding that he is “full go” with his arm after dealing with a flexor strain last summer.
“I need to up his workload in his first week going into the WBC,” Boone said at Steinbrenner Field. “I want to build [him] up to where when he leaves, he’s played six innings in a game and probably played — right now, I’m planning on playing him in four or five of the first nine games, just so he’s in a good spot when he’s got to go there and play nine innings.
“I want to make sure I up it, as safely as we can.”
Most springs, Boone eases his veterans into Grapefruit League action. But this one will be different with Judge set to leave camp March 1 to go play right field for Team USA.
As for Judge’s elbow, he took a couple of weeks off from throwing in the offseason before beginning to ramp back up, with all indications being that it has gone smoothly to date.
“He’s throwing the ball really well right now,” Boone said.
Elmer Rodríguez, one of the top Yankees pitching prospects, flashed his potential across two innings of live batting practice Sunday afternoon.
“Big fan,” Boone said. “Another guy that I think has a really, really bright future as a starting pitcher. I think he’s got a chance to be a really good starter. He can do a lot of things with the ball on the mound. He’s got a number of different pitches, he’s got real good feel to pitch.
“When I watch him, I look at him and think, ‘That guy’s going to be a starter in this league for a long time.’ That’s my early impressions.”
Cam Schlittler had Sunday off from throwing, but he is scheduled to get back on the mound for a bullpen session Tuesday, which would be his first since the Yankees slowed him down because of mid-back and left lat inflammation.
Aside from Sunday, the right-hander has been playing catch every day while getting treatment on his back.
Ben Rice, who was dealing with a stiff neck in the first few days of camp, resumed hitting Sunday, facing Rodríguez and relievers Tim Hill and Angel Chivilli in live batting practice.
Boone said all position players reported as expected Sunday and at least as of the afternoon, no new injuries had popped up during their physicals. … Max Fried threw two innings of live batting practice Sunday, building up to around 35 pitches.