Yankees captain Aaron Judge, his teammates and New York’s fan base exhaled Saturday when the two-time AL MVP learned he has a flexor strain in his right elbow but no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament that might cause a long-term layoff.
Judge was sent for an MRI on Saturday and missed just his second game this season, a 9-4 loss to Philadelphia. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection and will go on the injured list but hopes to return to action in 10 days to two weeks, initially as a designated hitter.
“You never want to go in the tube. It’s never fun. You don’t know what’s going to show up,” Judge said. “That’s why I kind of pushed off a lot of that imaging and stuff like that because if I don’t know what’s going on, it can’t hurt you, I guess.”
Judge leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS. He has 37 home runs and 85 RBIs for a New York team that opened a seven-game AL East lead by late May but dropped a season-high 6 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto on Saturday.
“All in all, we got good news today,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I think all of us kind of feared the worst.”
Knowing how tough Judge is, Boone had been worried. Judge told Boone of throwing difficulty during Friday’s 12-5 loss to Philadelphia.
“I couldn’t throw past 60 feet,” Judge said. “We’re going up against a Phillies team, they can hit the ball over the park. I just didn’t want to put our pitchers in jeopardy, just not be able to come up and make a play for them.”
Boone received results of the scan just before the start of Saturday’s game, when team officials were getting some more evaluation. Because pain impacted his throwing but not hitting, Judge fought going on the IL.
“With that strain, then if you go out there and play with it you put the UCL in jeopardy, so we got to get that healed up,” Boone said.
Boone said it was too soon to determine whether highly regarded prospect Spencer Jones will be brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Judge likely won’t throw for 10 to 14 days, then will need a few days throwing to build back arm strength before returning to the outfield.
“I really was reluctant about going on any IL or anything like that,” Judge said. “I was like, ‘If I can hit, let me hit.’” he said. “I’ll start DHing, I think, once this 10th day is up.”
Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s primary DH, will start to work out in the outfield next week in order to help fill in for Judge.
“It’s never a relief knowing he’s going to be out at all, but for what it is, I guess you could say best case,” Stanton said.
Judge said he first felt the pain in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game at Toronto, when George Springer singled to right in the sixth inning off Jonathan Loáisiga. Judge made a strong throw home in an attempt to prevent the tying run, but Davis Schneider just beat catcher Austin Wells’ tag.
An inning later, Judge winced after catching Alejandro Kirk’s seventh-inning fly in the right-field corner and throwing to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as Bo Bichette tagged up and went from second to third. Judge was caught by a YES Network camera clenching his right hand in a fist.
“He’s about as tough as they come and for him to even show any vulnerability or pain or whatever,” Boone said. “I knew we had an issue probably. And so any time you can fear the worst with that, but that’s why you wait to react, though. … We got the MRI and got a clear diagnosis with it.”
WhilePete Alonso has made a name for himself with his hitting and is just five home runs shy of breaking Darryl Strawberry's Mets franchise record, it's been his defense that's helping New York win games as of late.
Alonso dazzled in Saturday night's 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, making a couple of nice picks at first base and ending the game on an incredible leaping catch. His defensive performance earned praise from manager Carlos Mendoza, who made sure the first baseman was going to get the credit he deserves.
“Unbelievable. He doesn’t get enough credit because of his defense, but he’s elite,” Mendoza said. “Especially when we’re talking about receiving throws, using the whole bag, the footwork, just the target, and making plays that he can get to.
“We saw it again today. Hell of a pick on a [Francisco] Lindor play, that play to end the game right that, another throw where he had to come off the base. There’s a lot of positive from him defensively. I’ve been saying it all along. He doesn’t get enough credit.”
Starting pitcher David Peterson, who allowed just one run over six strong innings of work, also thanked Alonso for helping him get out of a couple jams. The left-hander added that it wasn't just Saturday's win where Alonso's defense came up big, but is instead something that's been going on all season long.
"He's been doing it all year,” Peterson said. "He had a couple really good ones today. He works his butt off before the games trying to get better. He's been really solid for us.
"To have a guy over there like that that you can trust and know that if you’re in a pinch and you need to get it out, he’s over there and he’s going to do his best to stay on or get the out however he can. It’s a comforting feeling knowing, especially for me trying to get the ball on the ground. It’s been awesome.”
When asked about comparing his jumping catch vs. a big home run, Alonso said he was simply happy to help the team win their sixth straight game.
"It's awesome to be able to end the game right there, it was big time,” Alonso said. “I know that our pitchers did an absolutely phenomenal job, but really happy I was able to contribute there."
He added: “I always want the ball hit to me. Just anticipating the ball. I was really happy to do it right there.”
Overall, Alonso is proud of the strides he's made with his glove.
“Defensively, I feel like I’ve improved as the season’s went on and I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now,” Alonso said.
Mark Vientos showing 'ability to turn the page'
New York couldn't get anything going offensively through the first five innings of Saturday's game. They left runners on base in two big spots, including a bases-loaded and no-out situation in the fourth inning as Mark Vientos struck out and Francisco Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Vientos and the Mets got another scoring opportunity in the sixth inning, and this time they weren't going to waste it away. The third baseman drove in two runs on a double to give NY a 2-1 lead, which they'd hold on to for the win.
After the game, Mendoza said what he's seen recently from the 25-year-old has been "a really good sign" going forward.
“I think the biggest thing for me was, after he didn’t get the job done with the bases loaded there, he doesn’t get down and he gets another opportunity right there and comes through, Mendoza said. “So that’s a really good sign, especially when it’s been hard for you and that’s the case for Mark.
"So not missing pitches, even though he missed on the first at-bat with the bases loaded, the one he fouled off, but doing a better job of controlling the strike zone and finding holes. You need a hit like that the one tonight, ended up being the biggest hit of the night. I think his ability to turn the page was good to see tonight.”
Vientos extended his hitting streak to six games with the double and was happy to "come through" in the big moment.
"Felt really good, felt really good to get that second chance and come through for the boys,” Vientos said. “Got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it.”
Vientos added that he's been focusing on the little things while at the plate and the results are now showing.
“Yeah I feel a lot better,” Vientos said. “The things that I’m focused on are a lot better at the plate. It’s helping me get better results for sure.”
“Sticking to my approach. Doubling down on it. When I get my pitch, not missing it.”
The Mets offense was quiet through the first five innings on Saturday night, but scored two runs in the sixth, and held on to beat the San Francisco Giants, 2-1.
New York (61-44) extended their winning streak to six games and remain 0.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat the Yankees again earlier in the day, for first place in the NL East.
Here are the takeaways...
-- David Peterson got some help from 3B Mark Vientos and 2B Brett Baty to avoid early damage, as Vientos snagged Matt Chapman's line drive and tossed it to Baty, who scooped the low and hard throw to complete the inning-ending double play. Peterson found himself in another situation with runners on first and second base with just one out in the second inning, but escaped thanks to a 4-6-3 double play.
It was then Pete Alonso's turn to help Peterson out in the third inning -- getting a tag on a wide throw for the first out and scooping a Francisco Lindor throw for the third out of the frame.
-- Peterson's luck ended in the fourth, loading the bases and allowing a run to cross on a force out, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. But the left-hander bounced back to get out of another jam in the fifth inning, keeping it a one-run game. He then found a way to get through the sixth inning, matching his career high of 121 IP on the season.
Peterson's final line: one earned run on eight hits (all singles) with four strikeouts and three walks over 91 pitches across the six innings. The outing lowered his season ERA to 2.38.
-- Francisco Alvarez tripled with two outs in the second, crushing a ball off the wall in right field that was misplayed by Luis Matos. However, the Mets couldn't capitalize as Robbie Ray struck out Tyrone Taylor for the third out.
Alonso hit a leadoff single in the fourth inning and advanced to third on Starling Marte's double down the line to left field, giving New York another scoring chance. Baty then reached first on a dribbler back to Ray, who was watching Alonso at third, loading the bases. But once again, the Mets failed to score as Vientos struck out and Alvarez grounded into a 5-3 double play.
-- Juan Soto walked and stole his career-high 14th base with one out in the top of the sixth inning, New York's 26th straight successful stolen base (the longest active streak in the majors and three shy of the Brewers' record 29). Marte walked and then Rafael Devers struggles at first base continued, bobbling a grounder and only getting the force out at first base. Vientos came through with a two-run double to flip the game around and put the Mets up 2-1, knocking Ray out of the game.
New York had a chance to add more to their lead after Alvarez and Taylor walked, but Brandon Nimmo struck out looking to end the top half of the inning.
-- Reed Garrett tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning in relief of Peterson. Ryne Stanek then breezed through the eighth with a 1-2-3 inning of his own. Edwin Diaz nearly let up a game-tying homer to Jung Hoo Lee in the ninth, but the ball hit off the wall in right-center field for a double. The closer settled down to strike out Mike Yastrzemski and Alonso made a game-saving, jumping catch on Patrick Bailey's line drive to end the game.
Game MVP: David Peterson
Peterson got out of multiple jams and allowed just one run on the night. It's the 13th time in 20 starts this season that he's thrown at least six innings.
Honorable mention: Alonso, for his stellar defense throughout the game.
The Yankees acquired another infielder ahead of the trade deadline.
The Yankees and Nationals have agreed on a trade that will send Amed Rosario to the Bronx in exchange for RHP Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez.
Rosario, 29, gives the Yankees the right-handed utility man they have been looking for after trading for Ryan McMahon on Friday. Rosario has been solid for the Nationals in limited playing time. Across 47 games, Rosario is slashing .270/.310/.399 with a .707 OPS to go with his five home runs and 18 RBI. He's played primarily at third base this season but has seen time at second, shortstop and even in the outfield.
Over his nine seasons, Rosario has played for the Mets, Guardians, Dodgers, Rays, Reds and Nationals.
The acquisition is a smart one for GM Brian Cashman and the Yankees. He gives the Yankees more flexibility in the infield and potentially the outfield with Aaron Judge heading to the IL. His addition could mean Oswald Peraza's time with the Yankees could be at an end. The young infielder is out of minor league options.
Peraza, 25, has not taken advantage of his increased time with the club this year. While he was very good defensively this year, in 70 games he only slashed .152/.212/.241 with three home runs and 13 RBI. His OPS was just .453.
Beeter, 26, was the key piece when the Yankees dealt Joey Gallo to the Dodgers back in 2022 and was ranked as New York's No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He's made five major league appearances the last two seasons but has allowed eight runs across 7.1 innings with the Yankees. This season, Better has pitched to a 3.10 ERA while striking out 33 batters across 20.1 innings pitched in 18 appearances with Triple-A.
Martinez has spent the last two years in the Dominican Summer League. This year, in 18 games, he's slashed .404/.507/.632 with three home runs and 16 RBI to go along with a 1.139 OPS.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, right, scores in front of Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and pitcher Clayton Kershaw on a sacrifice fly in the second inning of the Dodgers' 4-2 loss at Fenway Park on Saturday night. (Steven Senne / Associated Press)
But, in what became a frustrating 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Crochet bobbed and weaved around every knockout blow the Dodgers tried to land.
“I thought we played hard. I thought we competed,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He made pitches when he needed to."
Indeed, in a game that was decided on the margins — through high-leverage at-bats and two-strike battles and risky decisions that backfired on the basepaths — Crochet was just a little bit better than Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw, using his heavy fastball and premium all-around stuff to wiggle out of trouble in a way his aging 37-year-old counterpart couldn’t.
While Crochet limited damage over the rest of his six-inning start, striking out 10 batters to prevent each of the eight other Dodgers who reached base from scoring, Kershaw faltered when his back was up against the wall, yielding the lead in a three-run second inning before exiting after another run in the fifth.
“Obviously, when you’re facing a guy like Crochet, there’s not gonna be a ton of runs,” said Kershaw, who once invoked such fear from opponents but now has to grind with gradually diminished stuff. “Our guys did a good job getting a lead there early and really having good at-bats. Just frustrating not to be able to hold it.”
Making his first career regular-season start at Fenway Park (he had only previously pitched here in the 2018 World Series), Kershaw appeared to be battling his mechanics from the start. He delivered a first-pitch strike to only five of the first 14 batters. Even worse, he couldn’t put guys away on two-strike counts.
It culminated in the three-run second inning from the Red Sox (56-50). Trevor Story worked a leadoff walk. Carlos Narváez belted a double off the Green Monster. And, on a night he had two triples and a double, Jarren Duran laced a line drive to center that got over Andy Pages’ head to plate two runs (Duran would later score on a sacrifice fly).
All three batters did their damage with two strikes.
“Needed to figure it out a little bit better,” Kershaw said of the second inning. “The last few innings [after that], I actually felt pretty good with everything. Just couldn’t make the adjustment that second inning. And that’s what cost us.”
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers in the first inning Saturday.
Boston starting pitcher Garrett Crochet delivers in the first inning Saturday.
Steven Senne / Associated Press
Kershaw eventually settled down. He rediscovered his command in the third, working around a pair of singles with a double-play grounder and strikeout of Story. He found the kind of rhythm that has keyed his surprisingly strong 18th season from there, retiring seven consecutive batters to work his way into the fifth inning.
But with two outs in the fifth, Red Sox slugger Alex Bregman outlasted Kershaw in another two-strike battle, bouncing a single through the infield on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. Then, rookie star Roman Anthony drove him home with a double off the Monster.
Kershaw’s night ended there, with four runs (tying the second-most earned runs he has allowed this season) and only two strikeouts over 4⅔ innings raising his season earned-run average to 3.62.
“Could have been a super frustrating day,” Kershaw said. “Now it’s only mildly frustrating — just that that’s still in there, I can still get people out. It’s just that second inning got to me.”
Crochet, meanwhile, never wavered after the Dodgers (61-44) did their early damage.
“When you’re facing guys like Crochet, you don’t get so many good pitches to hit,” Hernández said. “The ones that you do, you just have to put it in play and hopefully you can get good contact, do some damage, like we did in the first inning. After that, he was throwing the ball very good. He didn’t miss many pitches in the strike zone.”
The Dodgers, in an effort to manufacture extra offense, didn’t help their own cause on the bases, either.
After the first-inning home runs, another rally fizzled when Freddie Freeman was thrown out trying to go from first to third base on a Pages single that was initially booted by Duran in left field.
The Dodgers challenged the call, with Roberts applauding Freeman’s aggressiveness from the dugout, but the out was upheld. Tommy Edman lined out to end the inning an at-bat later.
"I thought that was a good play, I liked that,” Roberts said of Freeman’s decision. “He's got to make a perfect throw to get Freddie right there. But in a first and third [situation] with a two-run lead, if we get into a situational spot right there, it could've been a different game."
Instead, the rest of the night was more of the same.
The Dodgers had two other innings end with outs on the bases. Hernández was caught stealing for the final out of the fifth (on a close play the Dodgers were unable to review after burning their challenge earlier, but one Hernández was told likely would’ve been upheld). Will Smith was gunned down trying to turn a single into a double in the seventh, after Crochet’s exit.
“If you try to play it straight and try to collect a bunch of hits, it's just not going to happen,” Roberts said of the Dodgers’ game plan on the bases. “We had a chance early and then he started bearing down and the velocity ticked up. Then hits were harder to come by."
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani examines his bat before striking out in the fourth inning Saturday. (Steven Senne / Associated Press)
And if that wasn’t enough, Ohtani squandered several more chances in deflating sequences at the plate.
Despite extending his National League lead with his 38th home run to start the game, the slugger also moved into the top-five of the NL in strikeouts with three in each of his remaining at-bats Saturday, finishing with 124 on the season.
In both the second and fourth, No. 9 hitter Hyeseong Kim managed to single off Crochet (surprising results given Kim’s recent struggles, which Roberts said have been magnified by a recent shoulder injury). But both times, Ohtani followed with inning-ending Ks, chasing out of the zone on a fastball up and a cutter that was well away.
The Dodgers, nonetheless, gave themselves one last chance against Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate after a two-out walk from Esteury Ruiz.
The batter representing that tying run: Mookie Betts, who was out of the starting lineup for a second straight game after spending the week back home in Nashville following a death in his family, but arrived at the ballpark shortly after first pitch to be available to pinch-hit.
His number was called with the game on the line, in what marked just his second trip back to Fenway Park since being traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers in 2020.
Alas, the former MVP brought a night of missed chances to a frustratingly fitting conclusion, getting rung up on a called third strike to set up a series rubber match Sunday.
Prior to Saturday's game against the Giants, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke on a number of topics with the media...
Mets making franchise history with stolen bases
One part of this year's Mets team that has excelled is the stolen bases. Entering Saturday's game, the Mets have safely stolen 25 consecutive bases, the longest active streak in the majors. It's also the longest single-season streak since the Brewers recorded 29 consecutive steals in 2024.
In Friday's game, the Mets stole three bases all against All-Star Logan Webb. Webb entered the game having only given up four stolen bases this season in his first 21 starts.
Mendoza was asked if stealing bases has become an emphasis this year, especially when the offense has been inconsistent.
"Not really, I think it's just part of the personnel, the situations," he said. "Got to give credit to [first base coach] Antoan Richardson with his preparation, and then credit to the players. They are buying in and executing the game plan. We’re not trying any harder, the situation presents itself and we’re going to take advantage."
The Mets lead the majors with an 89.4 percent stolen base rate, the highest rate in franchise history, and have only been caught 10 times this year.
Latest on Tylor Megill
Megill continues to progress from his right elbow sprain and is continuing to take the necessary steps to eventually return to the mound.
Mendoza said Megill threw a bullpen on Thursday and is set to make another on Sunday, and is "moving in the right direction."
The Mets transferred Megill to the 60-day injured list on July 8, but the team could use the big right-hander as they get deeper into the second half of the season. This year, Megill is 5-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 68.1 IP over 14 games.
The Yankees received some good news regardingAaron Judge's elbow injury after Saturday's loss, but now they have another issue to address, and that's who will play the outfield.
New York does have the trio of Jasson Dominguez, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger -- Saturday's starting outfield -- already, but it's left-handed dominant. Dominguez is a switch-hitter but is a much better left-handed batter. Judge counteracted that imbalance with his presence, but with him unable to man right field for at least two weeks, the Yankees are turning to Giancarlo Stanton.
Yes, Stanton, who has been the team's designated hitter this season, will begin working to be an option in the outfield this week.
"Whatever is going to put us in the best opportunity to win, and for all circumstances, I believe that’s for me to be in the outfield," Stanton said of the opportunity. "[I'll] be working out there this coming week and be ready when needed."
Manager Aaron Boone approached Stanton when Judge's elbow issues sprang up earlier this week about potentially getting in work. And now that Judge is officially landing on the IL, the plan is for Stanton to get back out there since Judge will be solely a DH for a few days when he first comes back.
There aren't a lot of details on the plan for Stanton in the outfield just yet. The 35-year-old said he's open to playing either left or right field, but is confident his defensive skills are not gone after not having played the field since 2023.
"I’ll have to figure it out. There will be a little rust to knock out this week," Stanton said. "[That's] another thing that doesn't matter. There’s no excuses when you get out there."
"It’ll be good to be back out there," he later added. "This is a point that’s best for the team. Anything I can do. It’s not going to be like I’ve never been out there before."
Stanton has played the outfield in more than 1500 games in his career, 1063 coming in right field, including 31 back in 2023, but the slugger's return as a defensive presence offers the Yankees the flexibility needed until Judge returns from the IL. It'll be difficult to replace Judge's MVP offensive numbers, but Stanton has delivered his signature power numbers since his return from the IL.
In 28 games this season, Stanton is slashing .277/.358/.532 with seven home runs and 20 RBI with an OPS of .890. That includes his two-run blast in Saturday's game.
The Yankees will need that production to overcome Judge's absence, and Stanton believes the team can.
"We’re going to have to figure it out," he said. "Everyone is going to have to step up, and weather the storm until he comes back."
SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Bailey slammed his helmet against the ground and dropped his head. His 106 mph liner had found Pete Alonso’s glove, giving the Giants a sixth loss in eight games since the All-Star break.
It was an unfortunate way for the night to end, but it was really the only way it could have gone. The spotlight Saturday was on first base, where Rafael Devers made his third career start and had a two-hour adventure on the dirt before Alonso’s game-ending grab.
Devers was seemingly in the middle of everything that happened, and his bobble in the sixth inning ended up being a part of the outcome. With two runners on and one out, Devers fielded Brett Baty’s grounder and turned toward the middle of the field.
It looked like he would at least get the force at second and possibly start a huge double play, but he couldn’t get a throw off and instead took the out at first. Mark Vientos followed with a double that easily scored both runners, and that was the difference in the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the New York Mets.
It would have taken a perfect play to turn two, and even if Devers had been able to cut down the runner at second, there was still a chance that Baty would have scored from first on the ensuing double. Vientos’ ball rattled around the left-field corner as the Giants watched their lead disappear.
“Yeah, we had a chance (at the double play), but those are things that are going to happen during the game,” Devers said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Unfortunately, they got the hit that scored the runs.”
Devers didn’t get tested in his first two career starts at first base, but the ball found him early and often Saturday.
In the fourth, he charged too hard on a slow roller and couldn’t get back in time to take the throw from Robbie Ray, leading to an infield single that loaded the bases. Devers recovered quickly, though, scooping Matt Chapman’s low throw to complete an inning-ending double play and keep the Mets from scoring. He smiled as he jogged off the field, having made his most notable play to date at a new position.
An inning later, Devers had trouble picking up a ground ball, but it rolled right to first base; he grabbed it there and got an out. It was an odd play, but there was no harm done. His error came in the seventh, when he kicked a Juan Soto grounder. Again, there was no harm done, as the Giants got out of the inning with another double play.
Had the Giants not gone 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, Devers probably would not have found himself answering questions late Saturday night. But it was another close game, and his defense stood out.
Manager Bob Melvin chalked the whole thing up as a learning experience, and a valuable one.
“I’m glad he got a bunch of balls today,” Melvin said. “The more he gets like that, the more in-between plays and plays where he’s got to make a decision where he’s covering first or going to get the ball, all of those things are going to be good for him at the end of the day. I know a couple didn’t look great, but again, it didn’t cost us, and I think the more experience he gets over there, the better he’s going to look. I really did like the fact that he got a bunch of different plays tonight.”
Devers won’t start at first on Sunday, but not because of how Saturday went. Melvin said before the game that he planned to give him a breather, but for the most part, the Giants are hopeful that Devers can be their primary first baseman. That would open up a lot of other avenues.
Wilmer Flores has gotten more time this week with Devers no longer at DH, and it’s possible that someone like Heliot Ramos gets a few DH reps if the Giants improve their outfield depth, either this year or next. This also could open up late-season at-bats for Bryce Eldridge, who is starting to find his groove in Triple-A but is still learning how to play first.
Devers is in the same boat, having played third base his entire career before the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. He was exclusively a DH before being shipped across the country.
It took a month for the Giants to get Devers back on the dirt, in large part because of back and groin tightness. But he’s feeling better physically and is eager to learn. Melvin said before the game that Devers is having fun, and that’s a big part of the push to keep him over there. Thirty minutes before the first pitch on Saturday, Devers sat in the dugout and bounced a ball against a cement barrier, preparing for another night at a new position.
It wasn’t perfect, but he was happy to get the reps. He’s hopeful that much better days are coming in the weeks ahead.
“I think that my responsibility is to improve,” he said. “Day in and day out, as I practice, I will get better.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees captain Aaron Judge will go on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, but a scan showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of the two-time AL MVP.
Manager Aaron Boone said Judge will have 10 days to two weeks of no throwing and will be the designated hitter at first when he returns. Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s primary DH, will start to work out in the outfield.
Judge was sent for an MRI Saturday morning and was out of the starting lineup for just the second time this season.
He leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS. He has 37 home runs and 85 RBIs for a New York team that opened a seven-game AL East lead by late May but started Saturday a season-high 5 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto.
Judge winced at Toronto on Tuesday after catching Alejandro Kirk’s seventh-inning fly in the right-field corner and throwing to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as Dante Bichette tagged up and went from second to third. Judge was seen by a YES Network camera clenching his right hand in a fist.
“He had a throw in Toronto where it zinged him, it hurt,” Boone said.
Judge was the DH the following day in Wednesday’s series finale, which Boone said then was planned. He was in right field for Friday’s series-opening 12-5 loss to Philadelphia.
“Felt like he was fine on the off day and then just last night was really dealing with it,” Boone said. “He couldn’t really throw well from the outfield.”
SAN FRANCISCO — For two days in Atlanta, it seemed like the Giants had finally broken through at the plate. Back at Oracle Park, it has been clear that wasn’t the case.
A night after losing 8-1, the Giants fell 2-1 in a tense game with the New York Mets, who will go for the sweep on Sunday Night Baseball when Kodai Senga takes on the Giants’ bullpen.
It was a night of missed opportunities for both lineups, but the Giants scratched across a run in the fourth when Jung Hoo Lee grounded out with the bases loaded. It stayed a one-run game until the top of the sixth, when Mark Vientos ripped a double down the left field line with two in scoring position.
The Giants have struggled against left-handed starters all season, and they went down in order in the seventh and eighth once David Peterson was removed. That put the lead in the hands of All-Star Edwin Diaz, and Lee nearly provided a thrilling moment with one out. He scorched a liner off the bricks that would have been a game-tying homer in 29 ballparks, but at Oracle Park it was just a double.
Patrick Bailey thought he tied it with two outs, but his 106 mph liner found Pete Alonso’s glove.
Getting Tested
Rafael Devers made his third career start at first base, and unlike the previous two, this one was full of tests.
The longtime third baseman and DH helped load the bases in the fourth when he charged too hard on a slow roller and failed to get back to first in time to take the throw from Robbie Ray, but he made up for it a few minutes later by scooping a low throw from Matt Chapman to complete an inning-ending double play.
In the fifth, Devers fielded a grounder by, well, rolling it to the bag. Whatever works, right?
The first really costly mistake came in the sixth, when the Mets put two on ahead of Brett Baty, who hit a chopper to first. Devers pivoted to throw down to second for the force, but he bobbled the ball and instead took the sure out at first. That put two in scoring position instead of one, and they both scored on a double.
An inning later, Devers made an error on a grounder, but that was followed by an inning-ending double play.
Devers will start at DH on Sunday, but in general, the Giants feel good about his work at a new position and plan to get him plenty of starts at first base. Before the game, manager Bob Melvin said Devers has had a blast being back on the dirt, and that’s a big part of the push to get him comfortable at first.
Ray Day
It’s been a brutal week for the Giants’ rotation, but there are no concerns with Ray, who made his second start since appearing on his second All-Star team.
Ray gave up plenty of hard contact early and had just two clean innings out of six, but he was able to reach back for strikeouts when he needed them and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 frames. Both came on the double on Ray’s 102nd pitch.
Look At Lucchesi
Lefty Joey Lucchesi spent four seasons with the Mets, although injuries limited him to just 22 appearances. The Giants brought him in this spring as a non-roster invitee, but the results didn’t open any eyes in March. Since getting called up last month, though, the veteran has filled a huge hole.
Lucchesi lowered his ERA to 1.80 by working around the error in the seventh, and it doesn’t seem to be that flukey. He has a 1.22 FIP and 2.02 expected ERA.
The Giants expect Erik Miller back in a few weeks, but Lucchesi has done a nice job of filling in, and left-handed relief isn’t as glaring a need as it appeared to be when Miller went down. Fellow veteran Matt Gage has also pitched well for his new team.
The Yankees lost 9-4 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday afternoon and have dropped four out of their last five games.
Here are the takeaways...
-In the absence of Aaron Judge, who was not in the starting lineup due to an elbow issue, New York's offense failed to come through until it was too late. Despite nine hits and five walks, the Yanks scored just four runs. They went 1-for-10 with RISP and left 11 men on base.
-Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman put his team behind the eight ball early, allowing a run in the first inning to put New York in an early hole. The right-hander did not have a successful outing and only managed to go 3.2 innings.
It was in that fourth inning when things really spiraled for Stroman. Down 2-0 at that point, Stroman walked the leadoff hitter -- one of four walks in the inning -- before a single and another walk loaded the bases. The third walk of the inning forced in a run and Trea Turner's force out brought home another. After a wild pitch and another walk loaded the bases once again, Stroman's day was done.
Yerry De los Santos came in and threw one pitch and got Bryce Harper to ground out to end the inning and save Stroman from further disaster. In all, Stroman allowed four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four on 89 pitches (50 strikes). He also allowed a home run to Harper in the third and his ERA rose to 6.09 through eight starts.
-The Yankees got a run back in the bottom of the fourth thanks to Jasson Dominguez's RBI single, but with runners on the corners and two outs, Trent Grisham grounded out to end the threat.
-After scoring a run in the sixth, which was charged to De los Santos, Philadelphia went into the seventh inning up 5-1, where Allan Winans took the ball. In just his third appearance of the season and first since June 28, Winans wore it on the chin. He allowed four runs (three earned) in the seventh after Edmundo Sosa blasted a two-run shot and Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run double.
Winans went back out for the eighth and managed to strand a runner on second base (leadoff double) with two strikeouts and a groundout before pitching a clean ninth inning.
-Giancarlo Stanton's two-run homer in the seventh cut the deficit to 9-3. It was Stanton's seventh home run of the season. He also singled in the ninth and ended his day 2-for-5.
-New York scored another run in the eighth on a bases-loaded balk. With runners on second and third, Paul Goldschmidt had a chance to make things interesting but struck out. He finished 0-for-4 with a walk.
-Ryan McMahon made his team debut after getting traded from the Colorado Rockies on Friday and finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the No. 8 spot in the lineup.
Game MVP: Ranger Suarez
The lefty struck out eight over 5.2 innings to grab his eighth win of the season.
What's next
The Yankees conclude their weekend series against the Phillies with a Sunday matinee starting at 1:35 p.m.
LHP Carlos Rodón (10-7, 3.10 ERA) takes on RHP Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.39 ERA).
Philadelphia third baseman Edmundo Sosa left Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees after he was elbowed in the back by left fielder Brandon Marsh in a collision while catching Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s seventh-inning popup.
Sosa was diagnosed with a bruise and will be evaluated further, the team said.
Sosa, Marsh and shortstop Trea Turner converged on the ball in short left field. Turner peeled off, Sosa made the catch, then was knocked to the ground by Marsh. Sosa’s fall caused the ball to pop out of his glove.
After Phillies head athletic trainer Paul Buchheit and manager Rob Thomson came out to attend to Sosa, the third baseman walked off slowly with Marsh’s arm around him.
Umpires initially awarded Chisholm a hit, but the call was changed to an inning-ending out in a video review as they concluded Sosa had possession of the ball before hitting the grass.
Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola will make his first injury rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Worcester as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle and fractured rib that have sidelined him since May.
Nola threw batting practice on Friday. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday the 32-year-old right-hander will throw about 60 pitches in the Triple-A game.
Nola hurt the ankle during agility drills on May 8. He made a pair of ineffective starts and was placed on the IL effective May 15. Nola threw a bullpen session June 1 and felt sore a few days later. An MRI showed a stress fracture of a rib, Thomson revealed June 10.
On the IL for a physical injury for the first time since 2017, Nola was 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts and 49 2/3 innings.
Nick Castellanos sits after hurting knee
Right fielder Nick Castellanos was out of the starting lineup Saturday, a day after getting hurt in the Phillies’ 12-5 win over the Yankees.
“The last play last night where he went back towards the wall, just kind of jammed his left knee a little bit,” Thomson said. “He came in a little bit sore today, so keep him out, see how he is tomorrow.”
Alec Bohm update
Alec Bohm is to meet up with the Phillies on Sunday, travel with the team to Chicago and be evaluated.
Bohm broke a left rib when hit by a 92.2 mph Yu Darvish pitch at San Diego on July 12. The third baseman and first baseman returned July 18 following the All-Star break, then went on the injured list.
NEW YORK – Perhaps the only thing wrong with the Phillies on a perfect Saturday for baseball was when Bryce Harper changed the clubhouse music before the game from Meatloaf to Dolly Parton. And even that is debatable to some.
That’s how well the Phillies went through their day at Yankee Stadium as they pinned an emphatic 9-4 loss on the home team and lashed out 13 more hits (following 14 on Friday), got another solid starting pitching performance and saw the big bats produce again. All this done in front of a sellout crowd that was overrun with Phillies fans who sprinkled in the obligatory E-A-G-L-E-S chant every so often.
These two games in the Bronx have showcased a team that Phillies fans mostly expected when the season started – quality pitching from the starters and a boatload of offensive prowess, particularly from the players who scoop up the majority of the payroll. Ranger Suarez battled through 108 pitches and 5.2 innings of one-run ball to pick up the win, while Trea Turner got on base four times, including a pair of doubles, Harper homered, Kyle Schwarber knocked in a couple and J.T. Realmuto had two hits.
Offensively, the two days of work has combined for 21 runs and 27 hits, which includes seven doubles and five home runs.
“It’s the ebbs and flows,” downplayed Rob Thomson about his team’s current hot hitting. “We have a lot of guys swinging bats well right now and that comes and goes. (Trea Turner) is using the field. He’s hitting line drives to right field. He’s swinging the bat well. He’s a catalyst. Ever since the San Francisco game where he had the four extra base hits (Bryce Harper) has been really good.
“I think a lot of times they feed off of Harp but I think they’re feeding off each other right now. It’s like our rotation, trying to keep up with the Joneses in the lineup. They’re doing a good job.”
It didn’t take long to get started Saturday as Turner led off the first with a double and scored on a Realmuto single. Harper bombed one in the third to left-center before the Phils tacked on two more in the fourth on four walks, one hit and a fielder’s choice for a 4-0 lead. It really was all Suarez would need as he struck out seven in upping his record to 8-4 while lowering his ERA to 2.59 on the season.
“I felt good,” said Suarez. “All my pitches were working today. When you compare to last start (4.1 innings, nine hits, six earned runs and four walks), the curve ball was there and the changeup, too, was working well. All my pitches felt good today.”
When the question of velocity, which has decreased by Suarez slightly in his last few outings, was asked, Suarez just laughed it off. “I don’t know,” he said. “Last start I tried putting a little more into it and we all saw what happened there. At this point I just think I’m one of those pitchers that rely on pitch location and control and command of the pitches other than rely on velocity.”
While it felt like a Phillies home game with all the red, white and blue in the seats, Suarez continued his road dominance. In eight starts this season away from Citizens Bank Park, Suarez is 5-3 with a 1.48 ERA.
The Phillies did get a scare in the bottom of the seventh when third baseman Edmundo Sosa drifted back on a ball to short left. Brandon Marsh came in hard from his spot in left and ran into the back of Sosa, who caught the ball before he headed to the ground. He stayed there for quite some time before getting to his feet and helped to the bench by Marsh. Sosa left the game with what the team called a back contusion.
“I saw the ball was hit, figured it was Trea’s ball but he couldn’t see it because of the sun,” said Marsh. “When I looked down at Sosa and Trea I just noticed the ball was in the middle of them so I had to go and make a play. Sosa said he was saying he had it but I didn’t hear him so it’s my fault.”
The Phillies were without the services of Nick Castellanos, who jammed his knee Friday night making the game-ending catch near the wall in right field. For now, he is listed as day-to-day.
Those were really the only blemishes Saturday, allowing Thomson to go to the deep part of his bullpen to close out a game where the lead grew as big as 9-1 in the seventh with the help of a two-run home run by Sosa. Two innings prior, Sosa struck out with a runner on second and showed his disgust after a bad at-bat. Sosa said after the game that Harper came and talked to him and that was part of the reason he was so focused before the homer.
“That’s not me. That’s not who I am,” said Sosa.
Who the Phillies have been as a whole in these two games has been more than good enough.
NOTE:
The Phillies made a move Saturday by acquiring outfielder Brewer Hickman for cash considerations from the Detroit Tigers. He was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 29-year-old has 12 at-bats in the majors through the years.
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star Aaron Judge was out of the lineup Saturday against Philadelphia and was sent for imaging of his right elbow, a worrying development for a team that has been sliding down the standings for two months.
“Obviously concerned,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We’ll wait and see as they read the imaging.”
“Hopefully it’s something that is manageable and we can get through,” Boone said.
A two-time AL MVP, Judge leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS. He has 37 home runs and 85 RBIs for a New York team that opened a seven-game AL East lead by late May but started Saturday a season-high 5 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto.
Judge winced at Toronto on Tuesday after catching Alejandro Kirk’s seventh-inning fly in the right-field corner and throwing to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as Dante Bichette tagged up and went from second to third. Judge was seen by a YES Network camera clenching his right hand in a fist.
“He had a throw in Toronto where it zinged him, it hurt,” Boone said.
Judge was a designated hitter the following day in Wednesday’s series finale, which Boone said then was planned. He was in right field for Friday’s series-opening 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, then was out of the lineup for the second time this season.
“Felt like he was fine on the off day and then just last night was really dealing with it. He couldn’t really throw well from the outfield,” Boone said.
Boone said Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad was to read the imaging Saturday.
