TAMPA — If Aaron Judge’s elbow were still a concern, he would, in all likelihood, not be about to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic next month.
And whenever Yankees officials have been asked over the offseason about Judge’s physical status, they have insisted that all is well.
But there was further proof Tuesday, when Judge looked strong throwing to bases during a workout at the Yankees player development complex, offering encouragement that he may be back to normal following a scare with a right elbow flexor strain last season.
Judge’s arm strength came under great scrutiny late last year, when it was lacking for the first few weeks after he returned to playing right field following a stint on the injured list.
The captain, whose 89.6 mph average on throws last season ranked in the 85th percentile, only got off two throws harder than 80 mph last September as he protected his elbow.
But he was able to unleash some throws more in line with his usual strength during the playoffs, and said after the ALDS exit he would only need treatment, not surgery, during the offseason.
The time off appears to have done Judge’s elbow well as he now gears up to play right field and captain Team USA in the WBC.
“He has ramped up his throwing program a little bit more because he’s ready for the WBC,” manager Aaron Boone said last month. “He’s ahead of the game, more so than he normally is, from a throwing standpoint.”
Judge was one of many Yankees working out Tuesday ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting to camp Wednesday — with position players who will participate in the WBC also set to report early. Taking batting practice alongside Judge were Ryan McMahon, José Caballero and Amed Rosario.
Max Fried, David Bednar and Ryan Yarbrough later threw live batting practice — one inning each — against a group of hitters that included Ben Rice, Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. That Fried, coming off a career-high 195 ¹/₃ innings, is already facing hitters this early in the spring is another positive sign for the Yankees, who will still likely handle his buildup with some level of caution.
The Yankees currently have nine members of their 40-man roster set to participate in the WBC, but they could eventually add two more.
Relievers Tim Hill (USA) and Yerry De los Santos (Dominican Republic) were named Tuesday to the designated pitcher pools, which teams can tap to replace pitchers on their roster following the first round of play.
There was one special guest in the group taking batting practice with Judge, McMahon, Caballero and Rosario: Didi Gregorius.
The former Yankees shortstop, who has been at the player development complex wearing non-Yankees gear the past two days, is set to play for the Netherlands in the WBC and this was likely just a way to tune up for that tournament.
The 36-year-old has not appeared in the majors since 2022, playing in the Mexican League in each of the past three years.
Gregorius also made a cameo as a photographer at Yankees spring training last year.