Aaron Judge has emerged as a presence in right field this season and now that will extend into the stands beyond right field.
The Yankees debuted The Judge’s Chambers at the Stadium on Monday night. It’s a three-row section not far behind Judge’s spot in the outfield, with faux mahogany wood surrounding the 18 seats in Section 104.
Fans already in the stands will be chosen to sit in the section, outfitted in black judicial robes with the team logo on the front and Judge’s No. 99 on the back.
“It’s pretty cool,’’ Judge said after the Yankees beat the Royals, 4-2. “When you come to a game, it’s supposed to be fun for the players and the fans. I feel like it might be something that’s fun for the fans out there.”
Judge entered Monday with a major-league-leading 15 homers and had a chance to add another highlight, but he flied to left in the bottom of the sixth with two on and a 3-0 count.
And even he was struck by how quickly he has made an impact in The Bronx.
The small area for fans isn’t quite like having a candy bar named after you, as Reggie Jackson did, but it’s pretty good for someone who hasn’t even played a full season in the majors.
“It’s pretty unreal,” Judge said. “I never would’ve thought so soon, but the fans like it, so … I’m just out there having fun.”
Greg Bird took dry swings Monday and is expected to do tee-and-toss Tuesday for the first time as his comeback from a bone bruise in his right ankle moves forward.
If all goes well, the first baseman should hit in the cage Wednesday and move on to live BP on Friday and Saturday before heading to Tampa for rehab games Sunday.
Because he has already been out for three weeks, he will likely have to play at least a handful of rehab games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, as well, before he’s ready to come back to The Bronx.
“I felt really good,” said Bird, who started running lightly last week with the team on the road. “Honestly, in the last week it’s come a long way. I’ve noticed a big difference.”
In the meantime, Chris Carter came into Monday hitless in his previous dozen at-bats before hitting a seventh-inning homer, while Tyler Austin went 1-for-3 in a rehab game with Double-A Trenton. He played right field.
Aroldis Chapman (rotator cuff inflammation) reported improvement in his left shoulder, but hasn’t started throwing.
Coming off the worst start of his young career, Jordan Montgomery said he was “really close” to being where he wanted to be.
The lefty gave up five runs in five innings against the Royals in his previous outing and will face them again Tuesday.
“I can’t walk guys like I did last time,” Montgomery said, pointing to the two free passes he issued in a two-run second. “I think the game sped up on me and CC [Sabathia] told me I can’t do that … I still haven’t put it all together, which is frustrating. I’m getting outs, which is nice, but I know I’m better than this.”