Yankees Nix Shift Of Aaron Judge To First Base

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will not be switching defensive positions anytime soon — even when he is healthy.

Despite speculation around a possible move to first base, the Yankees have ruled out that option as Judge recovers from a right flexor strain. The two-time MVP will serve as the designated hitter once activated from the injured list, sticking to manager Aaron Boone’s initial plan, according to a report Sunday by Jorge Castillo of ESPN.

The hope is that Judge will begin throwing again within two weeks and resume outfield duties once cleared to throw. While he has dabbled at first base during spring workouts, the Yankees are not about to ask him to change positions midseason — especially given he has never played it professionally.

“There’s the feeling that if he just DH’d now, that he probably would not compromise his UCL,” Boone said, pointing out the team’s priority to let Judge fully heal and eventually return to full-time outfield work.

With Judge occupying the DH role for the foreseeable future, the Yankees are turning to Giancarlo Stanton to potentially help out in the outfield. Stanton has not played the field since 2023, but Boone confirmed he will begin workouts this week to become an option.

“When they put me out there, I’ll be fine,” Stanton told the New York Post.

Stanton has been productive since his return in mid-June, slashing .277 with seven homers and an .890 OPS in 28 games. However, his own elbow issues linger and will factor into how often he suits up defensively, if at all.

In the meantime, the Yankees plan to run out an outfield of Jasson Dominguez, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger, with Amed Rosario also likely to see time in the corners depending on matchups.