MLB
Why did Yankees stars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge miss Mexico trip?
A number of Yankees players will miss the two-game Exhibition Series against the Diablos Rojos - the franchise’s first visit to Mexico in half a century.
When the Yankees’ visit to Mexico was announced, many expected that the Bronx team would come with the vast majority of its stars to prepare for the start of the next Major League season, however, many of the great figures were ruled out by manager Aaron Boone ahead of the start of the new MLB campaign which gets underway next Thursday 28 March.
It will be the Yankees’ first trip to Mexico City since March 1968 - Mickey Mantle’s final season, when they played exhibitions games against the Diablos Rojos. The Mexicans won the first game 5-3 but lost the second one 9-1.
Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole lead the list of absentees that the New York team will have for the two-game Exhibition Series that the New Yorkers are due to play against Mexico’s Diablos Rojos on 24 and 25 March. Judge underwent an MRI on his abdomen a fortnight ago and although the scan showed no signs of damage to his abs, he won’t be risked against the Scarlet Gang. Judge returned for the Spring Training the match against the Pittsburgh Pirates on 20 March but complained of discomfort in the abdominal region. Boone prefers that he continues for a few more games in the Grapefruit League before the start of the season.
Cole will be out of action for the next 10 to 12 weeks after suffering an elbow injury. Being without the current CY Young holder will be a significant blow to the Yankees rotation at the start of the season.
Why Juan Soto hasn’t traveled to Mexico
Despite the fact that Juan Soto was in line to make the trip to Mexico City, the Dominican stayed in Florida because Boone considers that the star reinforcement of the Bronx team has to work on his swing before the start of the season. During the Grapefruit League, Soto has seemed desperate and that is why Boone hopes he can have a little patience so that he can be that star that many fans of the New York team expect.
Others who did not travel include DJ LeMahieu who is receiving treatment for discomfort to his right foot. The player picked up the injury fouling a ball off himself in the 10-9 win over the Blue Jays last weekend. Alex Verdugo also stays at home, citing family reasons - a situation that has upset the Mexican fans who will be attending the games at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú - tickets for both games are sold out.
Among the Yankees stars who did travel to Mexico are: Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera, Jonathan Loaisiga and José Treviño, as well as Mexican pair Víctor González and Luis Serna.