Aaron Boone is not worried about being “politically correct” with his stance on Aaron Judge’s 2026 World Baseball Classic participation.
During an appearance on YES Network’s “Yankees Hot Stove” on Monday, play-by-play announcer Michael Kay asked the Yankees skipper how “sick to his stomach” he’ll be about Judge captaining Team USA.
Boone emphatically brushed aside that notion.
“I’m actually excited for Aaron, and that’s not politically correct,” Boone said with a chuckle, noting Judge sat out the 2023 tournament after signing his nine-year deal with the Yankees. “I’m excited for him because I know he didn’t do it the last time because he was named captain and all that was starting up.
“I think a player of his magnitude and his caliber, and I think as popular as we’ve seen this tournament or whatever you want to call it become — and certainly last time it was a special, special event.”
Judge, 33, was announced as Team USA’s captain in April, and he beamed about representing the United States.
“Getting a chance to represent this country… and have Team USA across my chest, it’s a great opportunity,’’ Judge said at the time. “I never had this opportunity before, even growing up as a kid.”
Judge then delivered another monster 2025 season for the Yankees, winning his third American League MVP award and his first batting title with a .331 average while slugging at least 50 homers for the fourth time.
But Judge also suffered a right elbow flexor strain in July that required an injured-list stint and affected his throwing the rest of the year.
Injuries at the event have long fueled concern, particularly in 2023, when then-Mets closer Edwin Díaz suffered a season-ending knee injury celebrating a win, while Astros star José Altuve broke his hand after being hit by a pitch.
Judge is not the lone Yankee in the tournament.
Closer David Bednar has committed to Team USA, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Great Britain), Austin Wells (Dominican Republic), Fernando Cruz (Puerto Rico) and José Caballero (Panama) are possibilities.
Despite previous injuries in the tournament, Boone said the WBC is an important part of the sport.
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“Anytime you’re playing high-stakes baseball that early in the year, there’s a little bit of concern,” Boone admitted. “But it’s become a big part of our sport. All we can do is help these guys put themselves in the best position to do it safely and to be healthy doing it.
“Life happens, sports happen, injuries happen. I hope we avoid it all, but there are no guarantees.”
The Judge-led squad — featuring 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh along with Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes — will try to deliver Team USA’s first WBC title since 2017.
And Boone believes there’s no better captain.
“I think the fact that Aaron Judge is captaining the U.S. team is the right thing,” Boone said. “I’m excited for him to play in that environment and hopefully it’s only a few weeks and then we get him back.”
The tournament is set to start on March 5.
