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Aaron Judge not in Yankees lineup for first time this season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After 66 straight starts, Aaron Judge is finally getting a day off.
The Yankees gave their captain a break for Thursday’s series finale in Kansas City, marking his first day out of the lineup in 2025.
But the timing might not be accidental.
Seth Lugo is on the mound for the Royals, and Judge’s history against him isn’t exactly glowing.
He’s just 1-for-11 in his career against Lugo, with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits. That .091 batting average and .182 OPS are among Judge’s least productive matchups against any active starter.
New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made a joke about ex-teammate and New York Mets superstar Juan Soto while speaking with an MLB insider.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Whether it’s pure coincidence or strategic rest, the Yankees will be without the hottest hitter in baseball on Thursday. Judge enters the day leading MLB with a .394 average. He is first in OPS at 1.269. His 35 homers and 59 RBI are second in the American League.
It is Judge's first off day since Sept. 29, 2024, the final day of the regular season. His first day off in 2024 was the Yankees' 68th game, also in Kansas City.
He’s also homered in three straight games, including a blast Wednesday night that helped seal the series win.
But after more than two months of carrying the lineup—both in production and presence—the Yankees are giving him a rare breather before Friday’s opener at Fenway Park. It's a calculated move, especially with a long summer ahead and postseason goals in mind.
Whether Judge sits because of Lugo, the calendar, or both, the decision means the Yankees know their season depends on keeping their best player healthy. One day off is a small price if it means getting a fresh Judge when it matters most.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
After 66 straight starts, Aaron Judge is finally getting a day off.
The Yankees gave their captain a break for Thursday’s series finale in Kansas City, marking his first day out of the lineup in 2025.
But the timing might not be accidental.
Seth Lugo is on the mound for the Royals, and Judge’s history against him isn’t exactly glowing.
He’s just 1-for-11 in his career against Lugo, with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits. That .091 batting average and .182 OPS are among Judge’s least productive matchups against any active starter.
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New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made a joke about ex-teammate and New York Mets superstar Juan Soto while speaking with an MLB insider.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Whether it’s pure coincidence or strategic rest, the Yankees will be without the hottest hitter in baseball on Thursday. Judge enters the day leading MLB with a .394 average. He is first in OPS at 1.269. His 35 homers and 59 RBI are second in the American League.
It is Judge's first off day since Sept. 29, 2024, the final day of the regular season. His first day off in 2024 was the Yankees' 68th game, also in Kansas City.
He’s also homered in three straight games, including a blast Wednesday night that helped seal the series win.
But after more than two months of carrying the lineup—both in production and presence—the Yankees are giving him a rare breather before Friday’s opener at Fenway Park. It's a calculated move, especially with a long summer ahead and postseason goals in mind.
Whether Judge sits because of Lugo, the calendar, or both, the decision means the Yankees know their season depends on keeping their best player healthy. One day off is a small price if it means getting a fresh Judge when it matters most.
Related: Yankees Lineup for Royals Finale Raises Concerns About Jazz Chisholm, Jr.
Related: Gerrit Cole Takes on a Different Kind of Yankees' Role Tuesday
Related: Gerrit Cole Takes on a Different Kind of Yankees' Role Tuesday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
