Aaron Judge’s Yankees captain has arrived

TAMPA — The Yankees captaincy era of Aaron Judge is about to begin.

While pitchers and receivers have been practicing at George M. Steinbrenner Field since Thursday, the Yankees’ other position players will join them on Sunday when they report for physicals, before the first full-team practice on Monday.

It will be the first time the entire team has been together since Judge re-signed with the Yankees to a nine-year, $360 million deal, then was named the 16th captain in franchise history. .

“I don’t know if it’s going to change [his day to day] as much,” manager Aaron Boone said on Saturday. “I think it’s been increased a bit, coupled with the fact that he’s here now. Nine-year contract, he knows without a doubt, this is now his home and in many ways his team. I don’t think you’ll see such a big change in the person, who he is and how he approaches things. But, I think there’s probably this progressive step in leadership that he takes responsibility.

Judge, who lives in the area, has been a frequent visitor to the Yankees’ player development complex this offseason, including most days of the past month. Boone cited this as a way he once directed as he headed into spring training.

The manager also said he would continue to confide in Judge, maybe even more, when considering certain things from a global perspective with the team.

“I think his leadership is stepping up a bit, but I think it will be quite subtle in what he looks like,” Boone said.

Deivi Garcia kicked off a live batting practice Saturday afternoon as he entered a crucial spring, possibly his last as a Yankee. The former leading pitcher is out of minor league options, which means the Yankees should expose him to waivers if he’s not on the Opening Day roster.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who made his MLB debut in 2020, split last year between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, pitching to a 6.89 ERA with 76 outs at bat and 32 walks in 64 innings. .

“The key for him will be being able to command the strike zone at a high level,” Boone said. “It will allow him to have success in the major leagues. Then also continuing to improve his arsenal against left-handed hitters. … For him, because he has the unique delivery, he maintains that delivery and his consistency to allow him to throw strikes at a high level.

Clay Holmes, who suffered back and shoulder injuries in the second half of last season, held a bullpen session on Saturday.

“He had a great winter,” Boone said. “He’s a hard worker, he’s very physical and I think he’s been looking really good so far at camp.”