Sportsnet: Let’s start with the worst news. Prior to Sunday’s series finale against Boston, manager Aaron Boone revealed there is no timetable for re-imaging injured slugger and three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge’s ribs. I guess the good news is that Boone mentioned Judge is doing some work in the weight room and has ramped from when he initially went on the IL in early June. Having Judge nowhere near returning is less than ideal. Entering Sunday night, the offense had thrice managed at least four runs in its last 10 games, winning all of them. They lost each of the other seven. With last night in the books, we can also note that they’ve been no-hit through four in each of the last three games (with Sonny Gray going 7.1 hitless last night).
Come back healthy, Cap. We need ya.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: Speaking of offensive ineptitude, Ben Rice is going through it the last little while. In his last six contests prior to Sunday night, Rice was 2-for-23 with a .174 OPS. Those figures only got worse with an 0-for-4 as the Red Sox finished their four-game sweep. Boone noted that Rice is pressing at the plate, saying “No doubt he’s grinding a little bit right now… there’s going to be weeks where it’s not easy, where you go through it a little bit.”
Baseball is hard, so it shouldn’t be a shock that even someone as good as Rice is slumping. Hopefully he figures it out sooner rather than later.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Austin Wells has not figured it out. On the eve of Sunday’s finale against Boston, the Yankee backstop is, by one measure (wRC+), the worst qualified hitter in all of baseball. His .510 OPS is the worst by a Yankee since 1975. But, if you want reason to hope, Wells and the Yankees think it is there. Wells noted he felt more comfortable in the batter’s box Saturday than he has in a while. Moreover, in June, his groundball rate is decreasing, perhaps indicating desired contact. Gerrit Cole also spoke to what Wells bring as a defensive-minded backstop. With Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Trent Grisham all hurt and Rice scuffling, Wells being even a league-average hitter would be a giant boost to the offense.
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