CINCINNATI - The Yankees arose early on Sunday morning for an 11:35 a.m. game to finish their road trip, but their lineup did not include the hottest hitter on the team.
Aaron Judge is fine, Aaron Boone said, but the manager gave his red-hot slugger a day off (at least to start the game) to double up with Monday's team off day, keeping the long haul in mind.
Sunday marked Judge's first day off since returning from the injured list on May 9, having started 12 straight games following the time down for a hip strain.
Across that stretch, Judge hit .378 with seven home runs and a 1.402 OPS.
"I just think it's the smart play," Boone said before the series finale against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. "Even though I've been able to DH him a lot, I just felt like - and as much as he's been on the bases and stuff - with the day [off Monday], a lot of value in that."
Judge, who served as DH in five of those 12 straight games, went 4-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs on Saturday, including the go-ahead single in the 10th inning.
"I feel like I know when the right day is, and I feel like he trusts me with it, too," Boone said.
Boone said it is hard to sit Judge when he is this locked in, but he wanted to stay "disciplined" to giving him the day - his first true day off this season that didn't have to do with his hip issue.
During Judge's historic 62-home-run season last year, whenever he did get a day off, Boone often made a point to make it heading into or coming out of a team off day to maximize the time off.
"Just feel like it'll serve him well, not only now, but as the season unfolds," Boone said. "To be able to hopefully get a couple days, especially with the early one [Sunday], just feel like it was necessary."