Yankees news: Aaron Judge calls out the team
Judge renders verdict on offensive woes; Bird demoted; Cole, Rodón, Volpe rehab assignments set; Winquest returned to STL
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 12: New York Yankees Outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches the action on the field during the regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 12, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.
(Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images MLB. com | Bryan Hoch : After storming out to such a strong start to the season, the Yankees’ fortunes took an abrupt U-turn in the form of a five-game losing streak including getting swept by the Rays. The bullpen deserves its share of the blame, but the main culprit is a slumping offense.
It has gotten to the point that Aaron Judge called out the unit as a whole for pressing and trying to play hero. In his role as captain, he took it upon himself to urge his teammates to simplify their approach. He feels they need to get back to the basics of hunting a pitch in a particular zone and passing the baton if that pitch doesn’t come.
That means a willingness to draw walks instead of “trying to hit every single pitch we see up there. ” SNY | Ben Krimmel : The Yankees made a roster move after last night’s game, demoting Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Monday night was another tough outing for the 2025 Trade Deadline acquisition, as he coughed up a game-tying three-run bomb to Mike Trout in the sixth and then gave the lead away again in the very next inning after Aaron Judge had homered to put New York back in front.