Yankees news: Judge leads Yanks to home opener victory
Captain swats two-run homer to set the tone; Bellinger’s acrobatic grab; positive updates on injured Yanks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a single in the eighth inning during the home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 03, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The New York Yankees defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images ESPN | Jorge Castillo : On Thursday night, with the Yankees’ home 0pener looming, the team’s players received a missive from their captain.
The message was simple: suits tomorrow. Aaron Judge followed up on his sartorial directive with a booming two-run homer in the first, setting the tone for an eventual 8-2 victory. “That’s what he does best,” first baseman Ben Rice said after the game.
“Coming out, swinging out the gate like that for us is huge. It’s just so contagious and got everybody going. ” Most importantly, the team dodged a bullet when Judge was hit by a pitch on the forearm in his next at-bat, a type of HBP which once caused the right fielder to break his wrist, and walked away unscathed.
SNY | Garrett Stepien : Another highlight in Friday’s victory was an improbable, juggling grab by Cody Bellinger in the ninth inning to help close the door. After the ball hit off his wrist, the left fielder somehow managed to reach down and grab it before it hit the ground. “I definitely got lucky.