Aaron Judge was back in the lineup Saturday for a second straight game after sitting out the final game of the Rockies series Thursday, as the Yankees work their best player into form.
Judge, who was in right field in Friday’s win over the Mets in The Bronx, was at DH Saturday and went hitless in four at-bats in a 12-2 loss to their crosstown rivals.
Before the game, Aaron Boone said he opted not to put Judge back in right for a day game after a night game in his first week back following a three-plus-month absence with a fractured right rib.
The manager added Judge could “potentially” be off either Sunday in the series finale against the Mets or Monday in Minnesota.
“He’s physically responded well,’’ Boone said of Judge’s first games back. “That’s been encouraging. He’s handled the rigors of playing in these games.”
Through Judge’s first four games after skipping a traditional minor league rehab assignment, Judge is 3-for-14 with a walk, six strikeouts and no extra-base hits.
“Offensively, I feel like he looks good in these handful of days,’’ Boone said. “Hopefully, he gets more and more sharp.”
Judge said he is seeing the ball well and feels fine.
“He’s made good swing decisions, is getting deep in the count for the most part,” Boone said. “He’s gotten a lot of good swings off, gotten some results [and] gotten on base. I’m encouraged by where he’s at. Hopefully he continues to find that real timing and rhythm we know he can.”
The Yankees have been waiting all year for Amed Rosario to start hitting left-handers, and he started Saturday against Zac Thornton. Rosario hit the ball hard, but came away empty.
Boone remains confident in the veteran right-handed hitter.
“He’s having the right at-bats and represents a real threat,’’ Boone said. “He hasn’t gotten a lot of results, [but] I expect him to be more in line with who he’s been against lefties.”
Anthony Volpe also got the nod Saturday over the vanishing José Caballero at second base and went 0-for-3.
With Ryan Weathers throwing off flat ground Saturday in his attempt to return from being shut down for two weeks with a left forearm flexor strain, Boone didn’t rule out the lefty returning to the roster even if he isn’t able to pitch any minor league rehab games.
“The bottom line is hopefully he’s pressed into a situation where he’s a little uncomfortable because he is healthy and ready to go,’’ Boone said of Weathers, who could have a bullpen session as soon as Monday. “In reality, that may happen.’’
Asked if Weathers could go straight to a postseason roster, Boone said, “I don’t know. I’d like to think that hopefully he’s back before then, but we’ll see.”
Clarke Schmidt was scheduled to make his fifth — and likely final — minor league rehab appearance Saturday with Double-A Somerset in his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
“I feel he’s thrown the ball well during games,’’ Boone said. “He feels and looks good. … Hopefully he plays a role for us.”
Right-hander Chase Hampton, the top Yankees pitching prospect just two years ago, was claimed off waivers by Washington and optioned to Double-A. Hampton was designated for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster when Judge returned from the IL.
Spencer Jones had his third straight multihit game.
“He’s done a good job in certain situations in thinking a little smaller,’’ Boone said. “Knowing where he can take his shots. He’s played a very mature game.”
The Yankees surpassed 3 million fans for a 26th straight season in which there’s been full attendance.
