Overview
- Aaron Judge rejected claims that Team USA lacked passion, saying different cultures show emotion differently and that the clubhouse “had a blast.”
- Back in Yankees camp, Judge served as DH on Friday and will follow a lighter ramp-up before the March 25 opener, with right field work scheduled Sunday and another start Monday.
- Team USA fell 3-2 to Venezuela in the WBC final, where Judge went 0-for-4; he finished the tournament 6-for-27 (.222) with two home runs and five RBIs.
- Discussion over Judge’s comment that the WBC felt “bigger and better” than the World Series persisted, with Derek Jeter publicly disputing that view.
- Michael Kay defended Judge against fan backlash by stressing the small sample and broader lineup struggles, and Judge said he wants to play in future WBCs or the 2028 Olympics as MLB evaluates a midseason window.