Aaron Judge took the field for the first time in 84 games on Tuesday night, hearing a spirited salute from the Bleacher Creatures during their trademark roll call before fans began another standing ovation in the bottom of the first when the Yankee captain stepped in for his first at-bat.
Judge's actual at-bats were mainly uneventful, as the three-time MVP struck out in his first at-bat and flied out to right center in his second. In the bottom of the sixth, he worked the count full and took a called third strike on the inside corner before being removed from the game.
All told, Judge finished 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.
Judge jumped ahead 2-0 against Rockies starter Gabriel Hughes in his first at-bat since late May, then fouled off a pair of changeups before swinging through a 2-2 fastball. Judge was late on all three swings, somewhat expectedly given how long it has been since Judge has faced big league pitching.
Judge again started ahead 2-0 on Hughes in the bottom of the fourth, then took a fastball for a strike, just clipping the bottom half of the zone. He sent the next pitch into right center, well struck at 95.1 mph off the bat, but center fielder Cole Carrigg tracked it down to retire Judge.
Leaving the game early was expected in Judge's first game back, as Aaron Boone told reporters before the game that the plan was to ease Judge back into full-time action, even though Judge told Boone he wanted to play the whole game. Boone also noted that Judge would take one game off during this three-game set against Colorado.
Judge finished 0-for-3 and was removed after six innings.
Judge finished 0-for-3 and was removed after six innings.
