After a fan shouted, "Swing the bat!" while Judge took two straight pitches from reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, the Yankees' captain, wasted no time. Judge stepped up and blasted the ball over the outfield fence, silencing any critics and energizing the watching crowd, according to a video posted by MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

But the crowd at Steinbrenner Field will not see the reigning AL MVP in Friday’s opener and instead will have to wait an extra week to watch him in action this spring, as manager Aaron Boone has circled March 1 as Judge’s likely spring debut.

Yankees' captain Aaron Judge offered his thoughts on a wide range of subjects as the club's first full squad workouts began Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

The entire New York Yankees squad is at spring training, as Aaron Judge arrived Sunday and started getting to work Monday.

Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees from spring training Join NOw TAMPA — Aaron Judge thought not making the postseason felt bad.