The Yankees will continue their midweek series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field without All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge.
Judge returned from the COVID injured list on Tuesday and was 1-for-4 with a hit by pitch playing all nine innings of the Yankees’ 4-3 series-opening win. He was in manager Aaron Boone’s original lineup before being scratched.
The Yankees did not give a reason right away why Judge isn’t starting. There has been some speculation that Judge could be dealt before Friday’s 4 p.m., EST trade deadline because he can file for free agency after the 2022 season, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported “this does not involve a trade.”
Judge was replaced in the Yankees’ lineup by rookie outfielder Estevan Florial, who was called up from Triple-A one day after being optioned.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
The pitching matchup is Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (0-0, 1.95) versus Rays righty Michael Wacha (2-2, 5.16).
The Yankees made a couple roster moves before the game by recalling outfielder Estevan Florial and pitcher Albert Abreu from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Two spots opened up late Tuesday night when the Yankees traded relievers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named.
Here is the Yankees’ lineup:
1. DJ LeMahieu 1B
2. Gleyber Torres, SS
3. Rougned Odor, 2B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5. Gary Sanchez, C
6. Brett Gardner, LF
7. Gio Urshela, 3B
8. Greg Allen, RF
9. Estevan Florial, CF
Nestor Cortes, LHP
Here is the Rays’ lineup:
1. Manuel Margot, CF
2. Wander Franco, SS
3. Austin Meadows, DH
4. Yandy Diaz, 1B
5. Brandon Lowe, 2B
6. Randy Aroarena, LF
7. Joey Wendle, 3B
8. Francisco Mejia, C
9. Brett Phillips, CF
Michael Wacha, RHP
Here are other recent Yankees’ posts on NJ.com to check out:
— Jordan Montgomery maturing into Mr. Dependable who is ‘getting better and better’
— What it’s like watching Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez, who has ‘makings of a future superstar’
— MLB rumors: Yankees-Rangers Joey Gallo trade talks could be falling apart
— MLB rumors: Yankees watch Marlins trade Starling Marte to AL contender
— Yankees deal Luis Cessa, Justin Wilson to Reds in salary dump | What it means
— Yankees bullpen survives this time in win over Rays | Rapid reaction
— Say what? Yankees dump productive Estevan Florial with Aaron Judge returning
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