Aaron Judge left Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with right lower leg tightness, and the Yankees’ lineup has a problem on its hands. Heliot Ramos pinch-hit for Judge in the sixth inning of a 5-4, 13-inning loss, per YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits.
New York has an off day on Thursday as they travel for their final road series of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bigger question is whether Judge can return to the lineup.
The Off-Day Timing
The Yankees are lucky to have the break. Judge’s absence is a concern, but the team gets a full day off before facing the Diamondbacks.
If Judge clears it, the plan is simple: get someone on base in front of him. That is the entire strategy, according to ESPN’s David Schoenfield.
What Schoenfield Says
Schoenfield’s advice is straightforward. He wants a runner in front of Judge, who bats second against lefties and third against righties.
“But [Trent] Grisham hit .199 with a .303 OBP in 358 PAs there, so it’s back to [Ben] Rice, with Paul Goldschmidt in the leadoff spot against lefties,” Schoenfield wrote.
The key stat is Rice’s on-base percentage. He has a .360 OBP in 628 plate appearances this season.
Why Grisham Is in Trouble
Grisham’s numbers are the issue. A .303 OBP is not good enough for a leadoff hitter, especially when a team has World Series aspirations.
Grisham is still recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. His return could push him out of the top spot entirely if the Yankees want a better on-base guy up front.
The Judge Factor
Judge changes everything. He is always a threat to hit the ball over the fence, which means the Yankees can score quickly once he gets a runner in front of him.
Batting second makes sense when Rice is hitting ahead of him. Goldschmidt moves to leadoff against lefties, giving the Yankees a strong bat at the top of the order.
What Happens Next
The Yankees need Judge healthy. Judge’s status will determine whether the Yankees use the Rice-Goldschmidt combo or fall back on Grisham.
The Bottom Line
Schoenfield’s advice comes from a respected analyst. It is a specific plan, not common sense dressed up as strategy.
The Yankees should get someone on base in front of Judge. That is the ultimate goal, and it should be their plan when he returns.
- Get a runner in front of Judge
- Use Rice in front of Judge
- Move Goldschmidt to leadoff against lefties
- Monitor Grisham’s recovery from his hamstring strain
The Yankees have the ingredients. They just need Judge to be healthy enough to use them.
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