Austin Wells homers as Yankees beat Phillies Catchers are taught that their most important work appears outside the box score, responsible for guiding pitchers and controlling the running game. Austin Wells found some comfort there, but he has never stopped believing in his bat. Wells launched the longest home run of his career, an opposite-field blast that traveled a Statcast-projected 430 feet, and Jasson Domínguez also went deep in the Yankees’ 3-1 victory over the Phillies on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The Yankees’ third consecutive win was tinged by concern for All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger, who stroked a tiebreaking hit in the sixth inning but injured his left hamstring on an eighth-inning double. With the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline approaching, the Yankees are said to be in the market for an upgrade at catcher, plus bullpen help. General manager Brian Cashman recently said that he considered the team’s catching to be “an issue, clearly,” and multiple reports have identified the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers, the Reds’ Tyler Stephenson and the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman among their potential targets. Manager Aaron Boone said he believes Wells has done a nice job of handling the noise. “He knows he can hit, and he believes he’s a better hitter than he’s shown this year,” Boone said. “That’s tough to deal with. But he’s also mature enough and advanced enough in his career that he understands the importance of being behind that plate every single day, and your role in limiting runs.” Boone also noted encouraging signs from Wells at the plate, beyond just his third-inning blast off Brian Keller. “The last couple of weeks – obviously, the homer is great. That’s an on-time, aggressive swing. You see the power the other way. … Hopefully, this is him inching closer to being who he knows he can be.#austin_wells #yankees #phillies #citizens_bank_park #brian_cashman
Yankees' Aaron Judge to Have Rib Reimaged During All-Star Break ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aaron Judge, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player and star outfielder for the New York Yankees, will undergo imaging tests for his injured right rib during the All-Star break. The Yankees have expressed cautious optimism that the results will provide clarity on his recovery progress, though they remain committed to ensuring he is fully healed before returning to play. Judge, who has not participated in any games since May 31, was placed on the injured list on June 5 after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right rib. The injury was confirmed through a combination of a CT scan, MRI, and consultation with a specialist. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman emphasized the team’s priority of avoiding any risk of further harm, stating, “We don’t want to put him at risk of coming back while still injured.” Cashman outlined the criteria for Judge’s potential return, noting that he must be “asymptomatic” and show visible healing on medical imaging before resuming activity. The Yankees’ decision to hold Judge out of the lineup has had a noticeable impact on their performance. Without Judge, the team has posted a 15-19 record, including a 12-4 victory over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Cashman acknowledged the challenge of managing the roster without their star player, highlighting the difficulty Judge faces in maintaining his physical conditioning due to the rib injury. “The injury has restricted his ability to work out his upper body because he can’t put stress on his rib cage,” Cashman explained. The imaging tests during the All-Star break are expected to offer a more accurate assessment of his rehabilitation status. The Yankees’ injury concerns extend beyond Judge.#new_york_yankees #aaron_judge #all_star_break #st_petersburg #brian_cashman
Aroldis Chapman Demands Yankees Apology for Potential Trade, Manager Boone Disagrees Aroldis Chapman, the flame-throwing left-handed reliever for the Boston Red Sox, has reignited tensions with the New York Yankees by suggesting the team should issue an apology if they attempt to acquire him in a trade. The 38-year-old Cuban southpaw, who previously spent two stints with the Yankees, expressed his frustration during an interview with ESPN, stating that if the Yankees pursue him, someone from the organization should first apologize for past grievances. When asked if that person would be general manager Brian Cashman, Chapman confirmed, “Yes.” Chapman’s contentious relationship with the Yankees dates back to his second tenure with the team, which began in 2016 after he was traded from the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees signed him to a then-record $86 million, five-year contract following his World Series-winning performance with the Cubs. Over the next six seasons, Chapman became a key reliever for New York, appearing in 284 games and recording 133 saves. He earned All-Star honors in 2018, 2019, and 2021, but his time with the Yankees was marred by struggles. In 2022, Chapman’s season took a downturn. He missed time due to Achilles tendinitis and lost the closer role to Clay Holmes. Later, he was sidelined by an infection from a tattoo, finishing the season with a career-worst 4.46 ERA. The most contentious moment came when he was left off the playoff roster for missing a mandatory practice leading up to the 2022 ALDS. Chapman claimed he had been cleared to skip the workout and travel to Miami, but Yankees management accused him of insubordination. ESPN reported that Cashman and the front office were deeply critical of his absence, which left a lasting impact on their relationship.#boston_red_sox #new_york_yankees #aaron_boone #brian_cashman #arooldis_chapman
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman Says Yankees GM Owes Him Apology Aroldis Chapman, the veteran reliever for the Boston Red Sox, has expressed his belief that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman owes him an apology for the manner in which his tenure with the Yankees ended in 2022. The Cuban star, who is entering his 15th season in Major League Baseball, is now facing potential trade rumors as the Red Sox struggle to remain competitive in the American League East. With the team currently 13½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and 5½ games out of the third wild-card spot, Chapman’s future remains uncertain as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches. Chapman’s relationship with the Yankees has been marred by controversy since his departure from the team in 2022. After a season plagued by a 4.46 ERA, a left leg infection linked to a tattoo, and the loss of the closer role to Clay Holmes, Chapman was left off the playoff roster for missing a mandatory team practice at Yankee Stadium before the AL Division Series. While the pitcher claimed he had received permission to attend a personal event in Miami, Cashman accused him of insubordination, leading to a rift between the player and the organization. Chapman has since stated that he believes someone from the Yankees should have apologized for the situation, and when asked directly if Cashman was that person, he confirmed, “yes.” Despite the fallout, Chapman has remained a dominant force on the mound for the Red Sox this season. Through 87 games, the 38-year-old left-hander has posted a 1.00 ERA, struck out 111 batters in 81 innings, and converted all 13 of his save opportunities. His performance has been particularly impressive given the team’s overall struggles, as he has allowed just one run in 19⅔ innings.#boston_red_sox #new_york_yankees #american_league_east #arooldis_chapman #brian_cashman
