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Yankees news: Aaron Judge calls out the team
TL;DR
Aaron Judge criticized the Yankees' struggling offense after a five-game losing streak, urging teammates to simplify their approach at the plate. The team is also dealing with roster changes, including the demotion of reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A.
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 Yankeesâ 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 doesnât come. That means a willingness to draw walks instead of âtrying to hit every single pitch we see up there.â
SNY | Ben Krimmel: The Yankees made a roster move after last nightâs 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. Bird was great in his first four games of 2026, but since then, heâs only recorded eight outs across four appearances and 18 batters faced, allowing eight hits and six runs. Once again, heâll try to get back on track in Triple-A. In the meantime, Yerry De los Santos and Angel Chivilli are among the candidates who could come up to take Birdâs spot in the bullpen. No move has been announced yet.
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: The starting rotation has stumbled a bit in contrast with the incredibly high bar they set through the first week of games, but reinforcements are on the horizon. Gerrit Cole and Carlos RodĂłn are set to begin rehab assignments this week after each threw three innings of live batting practice over the weekend, Cole tossing 42 pitches and RodĂłn 50. Both are coming off elbow surgery rehab â Cole missing all of 2025 to Tommy John surgery while RodĂłn had an offseason procedure to remove bone chips â and are on time with their return tables of late April/early May for RodĂłn with Cole expected back a month after.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Cole and RodĂłn arenât the only injured Yankees set to begin a rehab assignment. Anthony Volpe â yet to debut after undergoing offseason surgery to correct a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder â is scheduled to suit up for the Double-A Somerset Patriots starting today. The plan is for him to appear in four games this week, playing 3-5 innings in each â he has received 50 live at-bats at the spring training complex and the team wants him to log the same amount in the coming week. He is expected to be handed the starting role upon his return to the major league club. Despite Volpeâs struggles on both sides on the ball in 2025, itâs a low bar to upgrade the current starter at short, JosĂ© Caballero putting in woeful appearances with the bat and glove (even a rare homer last night was obscured by a routine groundball error that opened the floodgates on a bad inning).
MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: We relayed last week that the Yankees had designated Rule 5 Draft pick Cade Winquest for assignment and now it is official that he will be returned to the Cardinals after he cleared waivers. The 25-year-old reliever broke camp with the major league team after the Yankees selected him from St. Louis in December but never made an appearance despite warming up seven times. Per the rules of the Rule 5 Draft, Winquest does not need to be added to the Cardinalsâ 40-man roster now that he is being returned after clearing waivers, and accordingly he has been assigned to their Triple-A affiliate.
Q&A
What did Aaron Judge say about the Yankees' offense?
Aaron Judge called out the Yankees' offense for pressing and urged his teammates to simplify their approach by focusing on hunting specific pitches.
Why did the Yankees lose five games in a row?
The Yankees experienced a five-game losing streak due to a combination of a struggling offense and issues with the bullpen.
Who was demoted to Triple-A by the Yankees?
The Yankees demoted reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following a poor performance where he allowed multiple runs in critical moments.
When are Gerrit Cole and Carlos RodĂłn expected to return from injury?
Gerrit Cole is expected to return in late May after Tommy John surgery, while Carlos RodĂłn is on track to return by early May after an offseason procedure.
