Aaron Judge's Spring Training Debut Delayed Until March 1

Yankees manager Aaron Boone emphasizes a cautious approach to prepare Judge for the season after a demanding 2024 workload.

Aaron Judge, the reigning AL MVP, will not participate in the Yankees' first week of Grapefruit League games, with his debut targeted for March 1.
Manager Aaron Boone stated the decision was made to ensure a steady buildup for Judge following his career-high 158 games and postseason appearances last year.
Judge has been training at the Yankees' Florida complex and taking live at-bats to prepare for the season, with no injury concerns reported.
Clarke Schmidt, dealing with minor back soreness, is set to throw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Giancarlo Stanton remains doubtful for Opening Day due to persistent elbow pain, with no clear timeline for his return to baseball activities.